Masculine Definite -ul

Level 1

In Romanian, the word for "the" isn't a separate word before the noun. For most masculine and neuter singular nouns, you attach -ul or -l to the end of the word.

How It Works

Unlike English, Romanian uses an attached definite article. For masculine and neuter singular nouns, this is usually -ul.

How to attach it:

  • Ends in a consonant, -i, or -o: Add -ul (băiat → băiatul, ochi → ochiul, radio → radioul)
  • Ends in -u: Add -l (fiu → fiul)

Important Rules:
1. Prepositions: Romanian drops the definite article after most simple prepositions like în (in) or la (at). You say în parc (in the park), not în parcul, unless you add a modifier (like an adjective or possessive) (în parcul mare). An exception is cu (with), which keeps the definite article for specific nouns (vorbesc cu băiatul - I speak with the boy). Additionally, Romanian inherently treats means of transport (cu trenul - by train, cu mașina - by car) and instruments (cu cuțitul - with a knife) as definite categories, so they take the article even when English drops 'the'.
2. Pronunciation: In casual speech, the final -l is often silent (pronounced băiatu'), but retain it in standard written forms such as băiatul.
3. Adjective Position: The definite article attaches to the noun, or to an adjective if it precedes the noun for emphasis (bunul băiat - the good boy). It does not attach to adverbs that might start the phrase.
4. Loanwords: A hyphen is used when the final written letters do not fit their Romanian pronunciation, as with a silent final letter (site-ul, mouse-ul).
5. Other Cases: The article changes to -ului to show possession or an indirect object (băiatului - of/to the boy, see Masculine Genitive/Dative -ului), and to -ule for direct address (băiatule! - boy!, see The Vocative).

Note: Masculine and neuter nouns ending in -e (like câine or nume) take -le instead, though modern loanwords with a stressed -e take -ul (piure → piureul). Some masculine nouns ending in -ă use -a as a standard definite article: popă → popa. For tată, both tata and tatăl are standard definite forms.

Examples (4)

  1. Băiatul s-a trezit devreme.

    The boy woke up early.

    Word by Word: Boy-the woke up early.

    The noun 'băiat' ends in a consonant, so it takes '-ul'.

  2. Trenul a întârziat din nou.

    The train was late again.

    Word by Word: Train-the has delayed from new.

    The neuter noun 'tren' ends in a consonant, taking '-ul'.

  3. Fiul meu este student.

    My son is a student.

    Word by Word: Son-the my is student.

    The noun 'fiu' already ends in '-u', so it only takes '-l'.

  4. Omul de la ghișeu mi-a explicat totul.

    The man at the counter explained everything to me.

    Word by Word: Man-the from at counter to me-has explained everything-the.

    'Om' (man) becomes 'omul' (the man).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the definite article after a simple preposition

    Merg la magazinul.
    Merg la magazin.

    After simple prepositions like la or în, Romanian drops the definite article unless the noun is followed by an adjective or relative clause.

  • Putting the article before the noun

    Ul băiat citește.
    Băiatul citește.

    The definite article in Romanian is a suffix attached to the end of the noun, not a separate word placed before it like in English.

How It Connects

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Masculine Definite -ulLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand how to form the masculine definite singular, you first need to know that Romanian nouns have gender and that the definite article is attached to the end of the word rather than standing before it.

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Words in This Pattern

-ul