doar / numai
Only
Doar and numai commonly mean “only”: Am doar/numai zece lei. Both occur in affirmative and negative sentences, with different scope.
How It Works
Restriction
Doar and numai are standard alternatives in many restrictive uses. Put them next to the element you want to limit: Doar el știe means “Only he knows”; El știe doar răspunsul means “He knows only the answer”. Neither word belongs exclusively to formal writing or conversation.
Negative scope
Nu am doar un leu means “I do not have only one leu”. To assert that one leu is all you have, use Am doar un leu or Nu am decât un leu.
Numai versus nu mai
Numai is one word meaning “only”; nu mai is two words meaning “no longer”: Nu mai am bani.
Another meaning of doar
Doar știi asta! can mean “You know that, after all!” This appeal to shared knowledge is different from restrictive “only”; numai does not replace doar in that meaning.
Examples (5)
- Ea a cumpărat doar mere, nu și pere.
She bought only apples, not pears.
Word by Word: She has bought only apples, not and pears.
Here 'doar' restricts the object 'mere' (apples) in an affirmative sentence.
- În această cameră sunt numai cărți.
In this room, there are nothing but books.
Word by Word: In this room are only books.
'Numai' is used here to emphasize that the room contains exclusively books.
- Am doar zece lei la mine.
I only have ten lei on me.
Word by Word: I-have only ten lei at me.
A standard use of 'doar' to indicate a limited amount.
- Doar el știe adevărul.
Only he knows the truth.
Word by Word: Only he knows truth-the.
The adverb precedes the subject pronoun 'el' to restrict the action to him.
- Vreau numai să te ajut.
I only want to help you.
Word by Word: I-want only SUBJ. you help.
Used with a subjunctive clause to show intent.
Common Mistakes
Using restrictive decât without nu in standard writing.
Am decât un frate.Am doar un frate.Use doar or numai here; restrictive decât needs nu: Nu am decât un frate.
Writing “no longer” when you mean “only”.
Nu mai am un leu.Numai un leu am.The first sentence is grammatical but means “I no longer have one leu”. The intended meaning here is “I have only one leu”.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Identify the word or phrase whose alternatives doar or numai restrict.
Related Patterns
- Restrictive nu … decâtOnly with Nu...Decât
Nu...decât is an equivalent of affirmative restrictive doar/numai. Nu...doar/numai can instead mean “not only”.
Level 4 - Negation With nu
Understanding how to negate verbs is essential for choosing between 'doar' and 'decât'.
Level 1 - The Adverb mai
The adverb 'mai' is often confused with 'numai' when used in the negative construction 'nu mai'.
Level 3 - Modal and Focus Particles
'Doar' also functions as a modal particle in questions to express doubt or irony.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice doar / numai in Bubblegum
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