Question 1

Why does only the second half of prim-miniștri change in the plural?

Accepted Answer

In compound nouns formed by an adjective and a noun, usually both parts take the plural form (e.g., buni-bune). However, prim-ministru is a well-known exception where prim- is treated as an invariable prefix rather than a declining adjective. Therefore, only the head noun ministru changes to its plural form miniștri.

Question 2

Why is the noun prim-miniștri here and not the articulated prim-miniștrii?

Accepted Answer

The English translation uses "the", but the noun prim-miniștri isn't articulated here because the definite article has shifted to the adjective. In Romanian, when an adjective precedes a noun, the adjective takes the definite article (becoming noii). The noun itself must remain unarticulated. If the word order were reversed, it would be prim-miniștrii noi.

Question 3

How do we get the form noii for the adjective?

Accepted Answer

The base masculine singular adjective is nou. Its masculine plural form is noi. Because it sits before the noun and absorbs the definite article "the", we add the masculine plural definite article -i to the end of noi, creating the double-i form noii.

Question 4

If the group of prime ministers were all women, would the plural form of the compound noun change?

Accepted Answer

No. The noun prim-ministru is grammatically masculine and traditionally retains its masculine form and agreement even when referring to women. An all-female group would still be referred to as noii prim-miniștri.

Ei sunt noii prim-miniștri.

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