Plural Definite -i / -le
Plural Definite Articles
The masculine plural article is -i, commonly giving -ii or -iii after an existing plural ending. Feminine and neuter plurals take -le.
How It Works
To make a plural noun definite (meaning 'the [things]'), you must first know its indefinite plural form.
1. Masculine Nouns: Add -i
Most masculine plurals end in -i. To make them definite, you add another -i, resulting in -ii. Note that the 'whispered' plural -i becomes a full vowel sound when the definite article is added.
- băieți (boys) → băieții (the boys)
- copaci (trees) → copacii (the trees)
- The Triple 'i' Rule: If the indefinite plural already ends in two 'i's (like copii - children or fii - sons), the definite form adds a third: copiii (the children), fiii (the sons).
2. Feminine and Neuter Nouns (-le)
These plurals end in -e, -i, -uri, or -ă. You simply attach -le to the end.
- fete (girls) → fetele (the girls)
- flori (flowers) → florile (the flowers)
- trenuri (trains) → trenurile (the trains)
- ouă (eggs) → ouăle (the eggs)
Note: Neuter nouns follow neuter agreement, meaning they look masculine in the singular but act feminine in the plural, which is why they use the -le ending.
Examples (5)
- Băieții sunt aici.
The boys are here.
Word by Word: Boys-the are here.
Băieți (boys) + i = băieții (the boys).
- Fetele citesc o carte.
The girls are reading a book.
Word by Word: Girls-the read a book.
Fete (girls) + le = fetele (the girls).
- Copiii se joacă.
The children are playing.
Word by Word: Children-the themselves play.
Copii (children) + i = copiii. Note the triple 'i' spelling.
- Scaunele sunt noi.
The chairs are new.
Word by Word: Chairs-the are new.
Scaune (chairs, neuter plural) + le = scaunele.
- Florile sunt frumoase.
The flowers are beautiful.
Word by Word: Flowers-the are beautiful.
Flori (flowers) + le = florile.
Common Mistakes
Using -ii for neuter plural nouns.
Scaunii sunt în cameră.Scaunele sunt în cameră.Neuter nouns use the feminine plural article -le, not the masculine -ii.
Spelling 'the children' with only two 'i's.
Copii sunt afară.Copiii sunt afară.Copii means 'children' (indefinite). To say 'the children', you must add the article -i, resulting in copiii.
Adding the article after a simple preposition.
Merg la băieții.Merg la băieți.In this unmodified location phrase, use la băieți. La and în usually omit the article here; cu often retains it and follows different rules.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn plural definite articles, you must first understand Romanian's three-gender system, as the endings differ for masculine versus feminine/neuter nouns. Additionally, you need to be familiar with the concept of enclitic articles (articles attached to the end of the noun) which is first introduced in the singular forms.
Related Patterns
- The Attached Definite Article
This is the general concept of attaching 'the' to the end of words.
Level 1 - Feminine Definite -a
The singular version of the feminine definite article.
Level 1 - Noun Plurals
You must know the plural form of a noun before you can add the definite article.
Level 1 - Neuter Agreement
Explains why neuter nouns use the feminine -le ending in the plural.
Level 1 - Plural Genitive/Dative -lor
The plural definite article changes to -lor when indicating possession or 'to/for'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Plural Definite -i / -le in Bubblegum
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