fie că + A + fie că + B
Whether...Or
The pattern fie că... fie că... is used to present two or more alternatives that do not change the outcome of the main statement. It is the Romanian equivalent of 'whether... or...'.
How It Works
The expression fie că... fie că... functions as a correlative subordinating conjunction. Here are the key rules for its usage:
- Structure: Repeating the phrase before each alternative creates the full correlative pattern. A shorter alternative with sau can also occur. A comma is mandatory before the second (and any subsequent) fie că.
- Mood: Even though fie is technically a subjunctive form of the verb a fi, in this specific conjunctional pattern, it does not require another să. Indicative forms are common; a conditional can also express hypothetical alternatives.
- Register: It is more formal than the standard alternatives sau... sau... or ori... ori.... It is frequently found in literature, journalism, and academic contexts.
- Distinction: Do not confuse this with fie... fie... (without că), which is used to link individual words like nouns or adjectives ; it can also coordinate clauses. The presence of că is a feature of the connector taught here, not a universal test for whether coordinated material is clausal.
Examples (4)
- Fie că plouă, fie că e soare, noi vom pleca în excursie.
Whether it rains or it is sunny, we will go on the trip.
Word by Word: Whether that it rains, whether that it is sun, we will leave in excursion.
This shows the classic use where two weather conditions are presented as irrelevant to the final decision to travel.
- Trebuie să respecți regulile, fie că îți place, fie că nu.
You must follow the rules, whether you like it or not.
Word by Word: It must that you respect the rules, whether that to you it pleases, whether that not.
In the second clause, the verb is often omitted if it is a simple negation ('fie că nu').
- Fie că vei câștiga, fie că vei pierde, eu voi fi mândru de tine.
Whether you win or you lose, I will be proud of you.
Word by Word: Whether that you will win, whether that you will lose, I will be proud of you.
This example uses the future tense to show that the outcome of a future event doesn't change the speaker's feelings.
- Fie că a venit singur, fie că a fost adus, el este aici acum.
Whether he came alone or he was brought, he is here now.
Word by Word: Whether that he has come alone, whether that he has been brought, he is here now.
This demonstrates the pattern used with the compound perfect to discuss past alternatives.
Common Mistakes
Using the subjunctive mood after 'fie că'.
Fie că să vii, fie că să pleci...Fie că vii, fie că pleci...The conjunction fie că does not take an additional să before the finite clause in this pattern. Indicative vii and pleci work here; this does not make all conditional forms invalid.
Using 'fie că' to link simple nouns instead of clauses.
Vreau fie că ceai, fie că cafea.Vreau fie ceai, fie cafea.If you are linking nouns (tea, coffee), use 'fie... fie...' without the 'că'. Use 'fie că' only when a verb follows.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize că as a clause introducer in the repeated connector. Interpret the alternatives as conditions whose choice does not change the result.
Related Patterns
- oricine / orice / oriunde / oricândFree-Choice Relatives
These free-choice relatives also express the idea that the specific choice does not matter to the outcome.
Level 4 - chiar dacăEven if
Both patterns introduce a condition that does not prevent the main action from happening.
Level 4 - să + Present SubjunctiveThe Să Construction
Although fie historically comes from a fi, the fixed conjunction fie că does not require inserting să into the following clause.
Level 2 - cu toate căAlthough Formal
Another formal concessive conjunction used to show that a result occurs despite a certain fact.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice fie că + A + fie că + B in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Romanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
