mă numesc

Introducing Your Name

Level 1

Use mă numesc followed by your first name or full name to introduce yourself.

How It Works

The phrase mă numesc is the standard way to provide your name in Romanian in everyday introductions as well as professional or official contexts.

1. Grammatical Structure
It is a reflexive verb construction from a se numi (to be named). It consists of:

  • mă: The 1st person singular accusative reflexive pronoun (myself).
  • numesc: The 1st person singular present tense of the verb. The verb a numi belongs to the 4th conjugation (-i verbs) and uses the -esc suffix pattern.

Unlike English, where we use the possessive 'My name is', Romanian often uses this 'I name myself' structure.

2. When to Use It
This pattern is best for:

  • Job interviews or business meetings.
  • Introducing yourself to a superior or an older person.
  • Official documents or formal presentations.

In casual settings, Romanians typically use mă cheamă or simply sunt (I am).

3. Word Order and Usage
The pronoun mă must always come before the verb in this statement. You then follow it immediately with your name. Note that mă numesc can be followed by a first name or a full name, depending on what the situation requires.

Examples (3)

  1. Bună ziua, mă numesc Andrei Popescu.

    Good day, my name is Andrei Popescu.

    Word by Word: Good day, myself I-name Andrei Popescu.

    A standard formal introduction using both first and last names.

  2. Mă numesc Maria și sunt profesoară.

    My name is Maria and I am a teacher.

    Word by Word: Myself I-name Maria and I-am teacher.

    Used here to introduce oneself in a professional context.

  3. Mă numesc Elena. Încântată de cunoștință!

    My name is Elena. Pleased to meet you!

    Word by Word: Myself I-name Elena. Delighted of knowledge!

    A polite way to start a conversation with someone new. Note that 'Încântată' ends in 'ă' because Elena is female.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the reflexive pronoun 'mă'.

    Numesc Andrei.
    Mă numesc Andrei.

    In Romanian, the reflexive pronoun is obligatory. Without 'mă', the verb 'numesc' means you are appointing or nominating someone else.

  • Using the wrong reflexive pronoun (frozen 'se').

    Eu se numesc Andrei.
    Eu mă numesc Andrei.

    Learners often see the infinitive 'a se numi' and think 'se' never changes. However, the pronoun must match the subject (mă for I, te for you, etc.).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mă numescLevel 1Introducing Your Name

Learn This First

To use 'mă numesc' correctly, you need to understand how Romanian verbs conjugate in the present tense, the common practice of dropping subject pronouns, and how to pronounce the specific vowel 'ă'.

Words in This Pattern

numi