Restrictive nu … decât

Only with Nu...Decât

Level 4

The Romanian structure nu... decât is the standard way to express 'only' in negative sentences. It literally translates to 'not... but,' effectively limiting the action to a single object or quantity.

How It Works

Restrictive nu...decât
To say 'only' with restrictive decât, standard Romanian also uses nu: Nu am decât cinci lei means 'I have only five lei'. The combination limits what is asserted; it does not mean that I have no money.

Placement
Nu negates the verb, while decât introduces the restricted amount, person, thing, or action: Nu vreau decât să te ajut.

Different uses of decât
Comparative decât means 'than', as in Am mai mulți bani decât tine. Identify the meaning and scope of the phrase; the presence or absence of mai elsewhere in a sentence is not a reliable mechanical test. Restrictive decât without nu occurs in regional speech but is not the standard written construction.

For an affirmative equivalent, use doar or numai: Am doar cinci lei.

Examples (4)

  1. Nu am decât cinci lei.

    I only have five lei.

    Word by Word: Not I-have but five lei.

    Here, 'decât' restricts the amount of money to exactly five lei using a negated verb.

  2. El nu mănâncă decât legume.

    He eats nothing but vegetables.

    Word by Word: He not eats but vegetables.

    This emphasizes that vegetables are the only thing he eats.

  3. Nu vreau decât să te ajut.

    I only want to help you.

    Word by Word: Not I-want but that you I-help.

    The pattern can also restrict a subjunctive clause.

  4. N-am văzut decât un film.

    I have only seen one movie.

    Word by Word: Not-I-have seen but one movie.

    In the compound perfect, the 'nu' contracts to 'n-' before the auxiliary verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'decât' in an affirmative sentence.

    Am decât cinci lei.
    Am doar cinci lei. / Nu am decât cinci lei.

    Decât requires a negative verb. If the verb is affirmative, you must use 'doar' or 'numai'.

  • Forgetting the negative particle 'nu'.

    Vreau decât apă.
    Nu vreau decât apă.

    Even if you mean 'I only want water,' the Romanian structure requires the 'not' to be present for 'decât' to function correctly.

How It Connects

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

Restrictive nu … decâtLevel 4Only with Nu...Decât

Learn This First

Negate the clause with nu before restricting it with decât. Distinguish restrictive decât from comparative decât, meaning than.

Words in This Pattern

decâtdecâtnu