Significado
To stay in one place for ages.
Contexto cultural
In traditional Romanian villages, 'rădăcini' are literal. Most families had a garden and a plot of land. To 'take root' meant you were a 'gospodar' (a respected householder). In cities like Bucharest or Cluj, the phrase is now most commonly heard in the context of traffic or bureaucracy, reflecting the modern frustration with 'stagnation'. For the millions of Romanians living abroad, 'a prinde rădăcini' is a bittersweet phrase. It marks the moment they stop being 'temporary workers' and start being 'residents'. Classic novels like 'Ion' by Liviu Rebreanu explore the almost mystical connection between the Romanian peasant and the land, where 'roots' are a matter of life and death.
Use it for humor
Don't be afraid to use this when waiting for a slow elevator. It makes you sound very native!
Verb choice
Never use 'a lua' (to take). It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Significado
To stay in one place for ages.
Use it for humor
Don't be afraid to use this when waiting for a slow elevator. It makes you sound very native!
Verb choice
Never use 'a lua' (to take). It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Abstract use
You can use it for abstract things like 'frică' (fear) or 'obicei' (habit) taking root in someone's mind.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'a prinde rădăcini'.
M-am mutat în București acum 10 ani și deja am ______ ______ aici.
The past tense of 'a prinde' is 'am prins', and the idiom always uses the plural 'rădăcini'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'a prinde rădăcini'?
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for staying in one place for a long time, such as waiting.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
Andrei: 'Mai durează mult?' Ioana: 'Da, mai sunt 20 de persoane în fața noastră.' Andrei: 'Of, ______ ______ ______ aici!'
Since Andrei is talking about himself and Ioana, he uses the 'noi' (we) form: 'prindem'.
Match the sentence to its meaning.
1. 'Ideea a prins rădăcini.' 2. 'El a prins rădăcini în sat.'
The idiom can apply to both people settling and ideas becoming accepted.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosM-am mutat în București acum 10 ani și deja am ______ ______ aici.
The past tense of 'a prinde' is 'am prins', and the idiom always uses the plural 'rădăcini'.
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for staying in one place for a long time, such as waiting.
Andrei: 'Mai durează mult?' Ioana: 'Da, mai sunt 20 de persoane în fața noastră.' Andrei: 'Of, ______ ______ ______ aici!'
Since Andrei is talking about himself and Ioana, he uses the 'noi' (we) form: 'prindem'.
1. 'Ideea a prins rădăcini.' 2. 'El a prins rădăcini în sat.'
The idiom can apply to both people settling and ideas becoming accepted.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasYes, it is neutral. However, if you use it to describe someone else waiting, it might sound slightly impatient or sarcastic.
Absolutely. 'Afacerea a prins rădăcini' means the business is now stable and successful in the market.
There isn't a single idiom, but you could say 'a fi pe picior de plecare' (to be on the verge of leaving) or 'a fi nomad'.
Mostly, yes. But remember the second sense: waiting for a long time in one spot.
Yes, 'am prins rădăcini' is very common to describe a completed process of settling.
Frases relacionadas
A prinde cheag
similarTo start becoming wealthy or stable.
A se stabili
synonymTo settle down.
A fi bătut în cuie
similarTo be fixed/set in stone.
A-i crește barba
similarTo wait so long your beard grows.
