A1 Expression ニュートラル

Cu cine?

With whom?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'Cu cine?' to ask 'With whom?' when you want to know who is participating in an activity or event.

Means: 'With whom?' or 'Who with?' in a direct question.
Used in: Planning outings, asking about dates, or identifying team members.
Don't confuse: Never use 'Cine cu?'—the preposition 'cu' must always come first.

👤 + 🤝 + ❓ = Cu cine?

Explanation at your level:

At the A1 level, 'Cu cine?' is a basic tool for survival. You use it to ask 'With whom?' in very simple sentences. It helps you understand who is coming with you or who someone is talking to. You only need to know that 'cu' is 'with' and 'cine' is 'who'. It's one of the first questions you learn after 'What is your name?'

At the A2 level, you start using 'Cu cine?' in more varied tenses, like the past (ai fost) or future (vei merge). You can also use it to clarify information in a conversation. You understand that it's used for people, not things. You might start using it in short dialogues at a restaurant or when planning a trip with friends.

At the B1 level, you use 'Cu cine?' to navigate social situations more fluidly. You can ask about collaborations at work or discuss social dynamics. You are comfortable with the word order and can use it in complex questions with multiple clauses. You also begin to recognize the difference between 'Cu cine?' and 'Cu care?' in context.

At the B2 level, you understand the subtle social implications of asking 'Cu cine?'. You can use it to express surprise, skepticism, or to probe for deeper connections. You are familiar with idiomatic uses and can handle the phrase in fast-paced, native-level conversations without hesitation. You also know how to use it in formal writing, perhaps opting for 'Alături de cine?' when appropriate.

At the C1 level, you have a masterly grasp of the phrase's placement for rhetorical effect. You understand its historical and etymological roots and can discuss its role in the Romanian case system. You can use it in academic or legal contexts to precisely define partnerships or associations. You also recognize regional variations in intonation that might change the 'flavor' of the question.

At the C2 level, 'Cu cine?' is used with native-like intuition. You can analyze its use in classical Romanian literature or modern political discourse. You understand the cognitive linguistics behind why 'cu' (a preposition of accompaniment) pairs with 'cine' (the personal interrogative) to create social meaning. You can use the phrase to navigate the most delicate social or professional hierarchies with perfect register awareness.

意味

Asking who else is involved.

🌍

文化的背景

Romanians are very social and often travel or go out in large groups called 'gașcă'. Asking 'Cu cine?' is a standard way to show interest in someone's social circle. In villages, knowing who someone is walking with ('cu cine se însoțește') was historically a matter of family reputation and social matchmaking. In cities like Bucharest, 'Cu cine?' is often used when discussing networking and professional 'connections' (pile), reflecting a society that values who you know. In the Moldavian region, the intonation of 'Cu cine?' might be more melodic, often ending on a high note to express curiosity or surprise.

💡

The 'Plus One' Rule

Whenever you hear someone planning an action, 'Cu cine?' is the most natural follow-up question you can ask.

⚠️

People Only!

Never use 'Cu cine?' for objects. If you're asking about a tool or transport, use 'Cu ce?'.

意味

Asking who else is involved.

💡

The 'Plus One' Rule

Whenever you hear someone planning an action, 'Cu cine?' is the most natural follow-up question you can ask.

⚠️

People Only!

Never use 'Cu cine?' for objects. If you're asking about a tool or transport, use 'Cu ce?'.

🎯

Short and Sweet

In casual conversation, you don't need a full sentence. Just saying 'Cu cine?' is perfectly correct.

💬

Don't be shy

In Romania, asking 'Cu cine?' isn't usually seen as nosy; it's seen as being friendly and interested.

自分をテスト

Fill in the blank to ask 'With whom are you going to the party?'

___ ___ mergi la petrecere?

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: Cu cine

'Cu cine' is the correct way to ask 'With whom'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the correct question:

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: Cu cine mergi?

The preposition 'cu' must come before 'cine' at the start of the question.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Plec în vacanță în Italia! B: Wow! ___ ___?

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: Cu cine

B is asking who the friend is going with.

Match the question to the situation.

You see your sister talking to a stranger on the street. What do you ask her later?

✓ 正解！ ✗ おしい！正解: Cu cine vorbeai?

'Cu cine' is used for people you are interacting with.

🎉 スコア： /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

よくある質問

12 問

It is neutral and can be used in any situation, from a casual chat to a business meeting.

No, Romanian prepositions always come before the pronoun in questions.

'Cu cine?' is for 'With whom?' (general), while 'Cu care?' is for 'With which one?' (from a specific group).

Start your answer with 'Cu...' followed by the person. e.g., 'Cu mama', 'Cu prietenii'.

No, 'cine' stays the same whether you are asking about one person or many people.

Yes, Romanians often use 'cine' for pets they consider part of the family.

'Cu cine?' is the question (With whom?), 'Cu cineva' is the statement (With someone).

You can answer with a description: 'Cu un băiat de la școală' (With a boy from school).

Not really a different phrase, but you might hear 'Cu cine mai?' to mean 'Who else?'.

Because 'cu' requires the accusative case, and 'cine' is the accusative form.

Yes, it's perfectly fine for professional emails when asking about project partners.

A little bit! If you can say 'Cuisine', you're halfway to pronouncing 'Cu cine' correctly.

どこで使う？

🍻

Planning a night out

Andrei: Ieșim diseară în oraș?

Elena: Da! Cu cine mai mergem?

informal

💼

At the office

Boss: Avem un proiect nou.

Angajat: Cu cine voi lucra la el?

neutral

🤫

Gossip with a friend

Ioana: L-am văzut pe Radu la restaurant.

Anca: Serios? Cu cine era?

informal

✈️

Travel planning

Agent: Rezervarea este pentru o persoană?

Turist: Nu, merg cu cineva. Cu cine pot vorbi despre reducere?

neutral

🏠

Parenting

Mamă: Pleci la petrecere?

Fiul: Da, mamă.

Mamă: Cu cine mergi? La ce oră te întorci?

informal

📱

Dating App Chat

User1: Îmi place să merg la concerte.

User2: Și mie! Cu cine ai fost la ultimul concert?

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CU' as 'CO-' (like co-worker or companion) and 'CINE' as 'CINEMA'. You're asking: 'Who is your CO-mpanion at the CINEMA?'

Visual Association

Imagine two people walking together under a giant question mark. One person is clear, the other is a silhouette. The phrase 'Cu cine?' is written on the silhouette.

Rhyme

Cu cine / E bine? (With whom / Is it good?)

Story

You are at a train station. You see your friend Mihai getting on a train. You shout 'Cu cine pleci?' (With whom are you leaving?). He points to a mysterious person in a hat. Now you'll never forget that 'Cu cine?' is for finding out the mystery companion.

Word Web

cucinecinevanimeniîmpreunăalăturicompanionprieten

チャレンジ

Today, every time you see a pair of people (on TV, in the street, or in a photo), whisper to yourself: 'Cu cine este el/ea?'

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿Con quién?

Virtually no difference in daily usage.

French high

Avec qui ?

French might use 'Avec qui est-ce que...' for more formal structure, whereas Romanian stays simple.

German moderate

Mit wem?

German has a visible case change in the pronoun ('wem'), while Romanian 'cine' remains the same.

Japanese low

誰と (Dare to)?

The 'with' part comes after the 'who' part in Japanese.

Arabic high

مع من (Ma'a man)?

The script and phonetics are different, but the logical structure is identical.

Chinese moderate

和谁 (Hé shéi)?

In Chinese, the phrase often appears after the subject (e.g., 'You with who go?').

Korean low

누구와 (Nugu-wa)?

It is a suffix/particle system rather than a prepositional system.

Portuguese high

Com quem?

Pronunciation of 'com' is nasal, unlike the clear 'cu' in Romanian.

Easily Confused

Cu cine? 対 De cine?

Learners confuse the prepositions 'cu' (with) and 'de' (of/by/about).

Remember 'Cu' = 'Companion' (both start with C).

Cu cine? 対 La cine?

Both involve people, but 'la' means 'to' or 'at'.

Use 'la' for destination/location, 'cu' for companionship.

よくある質問 (12)