Equality Comparisons
The comparative of equality states that two things share a quality to the same degree. The most common structure is la fel de + [adjective] + ca.
How It Works
To compare equal degrees of a quality, use la fel de + adjective/adverb + ca: Ana este la fel de înaltă ca Maria.
Alternatives: Tot atât de and tot așa de can emphasize the equality. Ca și is also possible in nominal equality comparisons; it is not merely a device for avoiding adjacent sounds.
Agreement: An adjective agrees with the thing described: Fetele sunt la fel de înalte ca băieții. An adverb remains unchanged: El aleargă la fel de repede ca mine.
Pronouns: Use stressed accusative forms when a bare pronoun follows ca: ca mine, ca tine.
Contrast: Equality uses la fel de...ca; superiority uses mai...decât or, in simple nominal comparisons, mai...ca. Mai bun and mai bine follow the normal comparison pattern.
Examples (5)
- Maria este la fel de inteligentă ca sora ei.
Maria is as intelligent as her sister.
Word by Word: Maria is at the same of intelligent as sister her.
Note how 'inteligentă' is feminine to agree with Maria.
- Băieții sunt la fel de rapizi ca și noi.
The boys are as fast as us.
Word by Word: The boys are at the same of fast as and us.
Here 'ca și' is used before the pronoun 'noi' for emphasis.
- Acest film este tot atât de bun ca primul.
This movie is every bit as good as the first one.
Word by Word: This movie is all so much of good as the first.
'Tot atât de' adds a layer of emphasis to the equality.
- El este la fel de curajos ca tine.
He is as brave as you.
Word by Word: He is at the same degree of brave as you (stressed).
Uses the stressed accusative pronoun 'tine' instead of 'tu'.
- Merele sunt la fel de dulci ca perele.
The apples are as sweet as the pears.
Word by Word: The apples are at the same of sweet as the pears.
The adjective 'dulci' is plural to match 'merele'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'decât' instead of 'ca' for equality.
E la fel de mare decât mine.E la fel de mare ca mine.'Decât' is strictly for inequality (more than/less than). For equality, always use 'ca'.
Using nominative pronouns after 'ca'.
E la fel de bun ca tu.E la fel de bun ca tine.After 'ca' in comparisons, pronouns must be in the stressed accusative form (mine, tine, el, ea, etc.).
Failing to agree the adjective with the subject.
Fetele sunt la fel de înalt ca băieții.Fetele sunt la fel de înalte ca băieții.The adjective must change to its feminine plural form 'înalte' to match 'fetele'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To express equality in Romanian, you need to understand how adjectives agree with nouns and how comparison structures are built using specific markers like 'la fel de... ca' or 'tot atât de... ca'.
- mai + Adjective + decâtComparatives
Understanding the basic structure of comparisons (adjective + comparison marker) is essential before learning specific degrees like equality.
Level 2 - în / la / cu / pentru / fărăBasic Prepositions
The equality structure uses the particle 'ca', which functions similarly to basic prepositions in linking the two compared elements.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Adjective Agreement
Essential for ensuring the adjective in the comparison matches the noun's gender and number.
Level 1 - Comparison With bun / rău / mare / micCommon Comparison Words
These common adjectives use the regular mai pattern in comparisons; their meanings include age and quality.
Level 3 - cel mai / cea mai / cei mai / cele maiRelative Superlatives
The next step in comparison, expressing the 'most' of a quality.
Level 2 - Stressed Object Pronouns
Explains the stressed pronoun forms (mine, tine) required after the word 'ca'.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Equality Comparisons in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Romanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
