Partitive dintre
The partitive dintre is the standard way to express 'of' or 'from among' when picking something out of a defined set. It is a compound of de + între.
How It Works
Partitive dintre means 'of/from among' when selecting from a group: unul dintre studenți, două dintre cărți.
Group expressions: The complement can be a plural noun, pronoun or a phrase identifying a set: dintre noi, dintre aceste cărți. A noun does not have to carry an attached definite article: dintre studenți is ordinary Romanian.
Din: Din is also used in partitive expressions, including with plural groups: unul din studenți. For a singular mass or whole, use din: o parte din brânză.
Place: Spatial dintre can also mean 'from between/from among': A ieșit dintre copaci. It is not limited to modifying a noun. Static între means 'between/among': Cartea este între mese.
Superlatives: unul dintre cei mai buni elevi selects one member from the group of best students.
Examples (5)
- Unul dintre studenți a plecat mai devreme.
One of the students left earlier.
Word by Word: One of-between the-students has left more early.
Here, 'dintre' selects one individual from the specific group 'studenții'.
- Care dintre aceste cărți îți place?
Which of these books do you like?
Word by Word: Which of-between these books to-you pleases?
Dintre introduces the set from which care selects an item; din is also possible in partitive usage.
- Ea este cea mai inteligentă dintre ele.
She is the most intelligent among them.
Word by Word: She is the most intelligent of-between them.
This shows 'dintre' used with a pronoun to form a superlative comparison. Note that 'ele' looks the same in both nominative and accusative.
- Cineva dintre voi trebuie să răspundă.
Someone among you must answer.
Word by Word: Someone of-between you must to answer.
Indefinite pronouns like 'cineva' (someone) are often followed by 'dintre' to specify the group.
- Tu ești cel mai înalt dintre noi.
You are the tallest among us.
Word by Word: You are the most tall of-between us.
Quantifiers or superlatives pair with 'dintre' when selecting from a specific group of people.
Common Mistakes
Using 'dintre' to describe a physical position between objects.
Cartea este dintre mese.Cartea este între mese.For the intended static position, use între mese. Dintre instead expresses origin from between/among, as in A ieșit dintre copaci.
Using 'dintre' with singular mass nouns.
O parte dintre brânză.O parte din brânză.'Dintre' requires a plural, countable set. For uncountable substances like cheese or water, use 'din'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Learn plural group expressions and the number or quantifier selecting members of the group. The noun after dintre need not carry an attached definite article: unul dintre studenți. The group is interpreted through the complete phrase and context.
- Plural Definite -i / -lePlural Definite Articles
Group nouns can be plural, but the noun after dintre need not carry a definite article: unul dintre studenți.
Level 1 - Basic Numbers
Partitive constructions typically start with a number or quantifier (like 'unu') to indicate how many items are being selected from the group.
Level 1 - Accusative Prepositions
'Dintre' is a compound preposition that functions within the accusative case system, following standard prepositional rules.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- unul dintre cei mai + AdjectiveUnul Dintre Cei Mai
This pattern frequently uses 'dintre' to identify the group the superlative subject belongs to.
Level 4 - The Attached Definite Article
The group can be identifiable without an attached article after dintre: dintre studenți, dintre acești elevi.
Level 1 - din / de la / până laSource and Limits
'Din' is the primary preposition confused with 'dintre'; understanding their difference is key.
Level 2 - cel mai / cea mai / cei mai / cele maiRelative Superlatives
'Dintre' is used to define the group within which someone is 'the most' (cel mai).
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Partitive dintre in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Romanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
