Romanian Infinitives
The short infinitive functions as a verb. Forms traditionally called long infinitives normally function as feminine nouns in modern usage.
How It Works
Romanian distinguishes the short infinitive from nouns traditionally called long infinitives.
Short infinitive: The dictionary form includes the particle a: a citi, a merge. Certain constructions omit that particle: pot citi, voi merge, aș merge. With a, clitics go between it and the verb: pentru a-l vedea.
Long infinitive: Forms such as citire and plecare function as feminine nouns in productive modern usage. They can take articles and plural forms: citirea, plecările. Some have specialized lexical meanings, such as mâncare (food). Historical verbal uses survive in a few fixed or expressive constructions.
Activity nouns: There is no blanket ban on long-infinitive nouns for activities. The natural choice depends on the word: citirea is possible, while swimming is commonly înotul.
Verb complements: Neutral current Romanian uses Vreau să merg. Infinitive versus subjunctive depends on the governing verb and register; do not replace every infinitive with a să clause.
Examples (5)
- Nu pot veni mâine.
I cannot come tomorrow.
Word by Word: Not I-can come tomorrow.
The short infinitive 'veni' is used without the particle 'a' after the modal verb 'a putea'.
- A plecat fără a spune nimic.
He left without saying anything.
Word by Word: He-has left without to say nothing.
The short infinitive 'a spune' is used with the particle 'a' after the preposition 'fără'.
- Citirea contractului mi-a luat o oră.
Reading the contract took me an hour.
Word by Word: Reading-the of-contract to-me-has taken an hour.
The long infinitive 'citire' functions as a definite feminine noun ('citirea').
- Nu fuma în această clădire!
Don't smoke in this building!
Word by Word: Not smoke in this building!
The short infinitive without the particle 'a' is used to form the 2nd person singular negative imperative.
- Avem nevoie de o nouă abordare.
We need a new approach.
Word by Word: We-have need of a new approach.
The long infinitive 'abordare' (from 'a aborda') is used purely as a noun meaning 'approach'.
Common Mistakes
Treating the long infinitive as a verb.
Vreau mâncare o pizza.Vreau să mănânc o pizza.In ordinary productive modern usage, mâncare and cântare function as nouns. In this sentence, mâncare cannot replace the verb mănânc: say Vreau să mănânc o pizza. Historical verbal uses of long infinitives survive in limited fixed or expressive constructions.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- să + Present SubjunctiveThe Să Construction
The subjunctive is the structure you must use instead of the infinitive for most verb-complement clauses (e.g., 'I want to go').
Level 2 - Long-Infinitive Nouns
Explores in greater detail how the long infinitive is used to create abstract nouns and technical vocabulary.
Level 5 - The Romanian Supine
The supine is another verbal noun form in Romanian that learners often need to distinguish from the long infinitive.
Level 5 - Infinitive and să-Clause Choice
Examines the stylistic and regional nuances of choosing between the infinitive and the subjunctive in advanced contexts.
Level 5
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