Question 1

Why do we use înainte să here instead of înainte de?

Accepted Answer

We use înainte să because it introduces an action with a verb. It means 'before doing something' and triggers the subjunctive mood. If we were putting 'before' in front of a noun instead of a verb, like 'before the game', we would use înainte de (înainte de joc).

Question 2

I know înainte să requires the subjunctive mood. Why does alegeți just look like the normal present tense?

Accepted Answer

In Romanian, the subjunctive mood for the voi (you plural/formal) form is exactly the same as the regular present tense. The word să in front of it is your main clue that this is the subjunctive mood!

Question 3

Does a arunca always mean 'to roll' when talking about games?

Accepted Answer

A arunca literally means 'to throw'. While English specifically uses 'to roll' for dice, Romanian just uses 'to throw': a arunca zarul (to throw the die). You might also hear the phrase a da cu zarul.

Question 4

What gender is the word zar (die), and what is its plural?

Accepted Answer

Zar is a neuter noun. Its plural is zaruri (dice). If you were playing a game that requires rolling two dice, the sentence would start with Aruncați zarurile.

Aruncați zarul înainte să alegeți direcția.

Breakdown of Aruncați zarul înainte să alegeți direcția.

Questions & Answers about Aruncați zarul înainte să alegeți direcția.

Learn Aruncați zarul înainte să alegeți direcția and more in Romanian