Learn Romanian: A nu se arunca gunoiul pe gazon! - Do not throw trash on the lawn!

In Romanian, public signs and official instructions often use the infinitive (a arunca) to express a general, impersonal command or prohibition. It is directed at everyone in general rather than a specific person. You will see this everywhere in Romania, similar to "No smoking" (A nu se fuma) or "Keep refrigerated" (A se păstra la rece).

What is the purpose of se in this sentence?

Here, se creates a reflexive passive. While a arunca means "to throw", a se arunca means "to be thrown". Literally, the sign translates to "The trash is not to be thrown on the lawn." This is the standard way to form impersonal infinitive commands when there is a direct object involved.

Why is gunoiul used with the definite article (-ul) when the English translation just says "trash"?

Because of the reflexive passive structure (a se arunca), gunoiul acts grammatically as the subject of the sentence. In Romanian, subjects of a sentence almost always require the definite article, even when speaking about general categories like trash.

Why does gazon lack a definite article after pe, even though we mean "the lawn"?