A1 Numbers 5 min read Easy

Cardinal Numbers

Master 1-10 and the 'de' rule for 20+ to navigate prices, ages, and time in Romanian.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Romanian cardinal numbers are the foundation for counting; remember that numbers 1 and 2 change based on the gender of the noun.

  • Numbers 0-10 are unique: 'zero', 'unu', 'doi', 'trei', 'patru', 'cinci', 'șase', 'șapte', 'opt', 'nouă', 'zece'.
  • Numbers 11-19 use the pattern 'digit + spre + zece' (e.g., 'unsprezece' for 11).
  • Numbers 20+ use 'zeci' (tens) + 'și' + unit (e.g., 'douăzeci și unu' for 21).
Digit + (spre/zeci) + Digit = Total

Overview

Welcome to the world of Romanian numbers! You use them every single day. You need them to buy a warm pastry. You need them to tell someone your age. Even giving your phone number requires these little words. Numbers are the backbone of your survival kit in Romania. Without them, you cannot even pay for a bus ticket. Learning them might seem like a chore. However, it is actually quite logical once you see the pattern. Think of numbers as your first real tool for independence. You will go from pointing at things to actually naming quantities. It feels great to finally understand the price at the market. Let's dive in and make you a Romanian math master. It is easier than you think!

How This Grammar Works

Romanian cardinal numbers follow a very consistent system. You start with the basic building blocks from zero to ten. These are the most important words to memorize perfectly. Once you have these, you can build almost any other number. The system uses specific connectors to join units and tens. It is like building with Lego blocks. You just snap the pieces together in the right order. For numbers up to 19, we use a specific "sandwich" method. For numbers 20 and above, we use a "connector" method. There is also a small rule about gender for the numbers one and two. Yes, even numbers can be masculine or feminine here! But don't worry, even native speakers take a second to think sometimes. Just keep the rhythm, and you will be fine.

Formation Pattern

1
Start by memorizing the core digits from 0 to 10.
2
zero, unu, doi, trei, patru, cinci, șase, șapte, opt, nouă, zece.
3
For numbers 11 to 19, use this formula: [Unit] + spre + zece.
4
For example, 11 is unsprezece (one-towards-ten).
5
For 12, use doisprezece (masculine) or douăsprezece (feminine).
6
For the tens (20, 30, 40...), use the unit plus zeci.
7
20 is douăzeci, 30 is treizeci, 40 is patruzeci.
8
To form numbers like 21 or 35, add the word și (and).
9
It looks like this: [Tens] + și + [Unit].
10
21 is douăzeci și unu. 35 is treizeci și cinci.
11
When you reach 20 or higher, add the word de before nouns.
12
19 lei is nouăsprezece lei, but 20 lei is douăzeci de lei.
13
Think of de as a small tax for using bigger numbers.

When To Use It

Use cardinal numbers whenever you are counting actual things. Use them at the grocery store for trei mere (three apples). Use them when you are ordering at a restaurant. Două beri, vă rog (Two beers, please) is a classic phrase. You also need them for your age. In Romanian, you "have" years, so you say Am treizeci de ani. Use them for telling the time, like ora cinci. They are essential for giving your phone number to a new friend. When giving phone numbers, Romanians usually say each digit one by one. Use them for house numbers and bus lines too. Basically, if there is a digit involved, you need these words. They are the workhorses of the Romanian language.

When Not To Use It

Do not use cardinal numbers for "the first" or "the second". Those are ordinal numbers, and they look different. For "the first of the month," we usually use întâi instead of unu. Don't use the full word unu when a noun follows it immediately. Instead, use un for masculine or o for feminine. For example, say un băiat (one boy), not unu băiat. Also, don't use cardinal numbers when you are talking about dates in a formal way. While we use them for most days, the first day is special. Avoid using cardinal numbers for fractions like "half" or "quarter" unless you're doing math. For those, we have specific words like jumătate or sfert.

Common Mistakes

Mixing up doi and două is the most common trip-up. Use doi for boys and două for girls (or feminine objects). Forgetting the word de after the number 20 is another classic. It is like a grammar traffic light; you must stop and put de there. Saying douăzeci euro sounds strange to a Romanian ear. Always say douăzeci de euro. Another mistake is the spelling of 14 and 16. People often forget the 'u' in paisprezece or the 'ș' in șaisprezece. Native speakers often shorten these in casual speech to paișpe or șaișpe. However, stick to the long versions while you are still learning. It makes you sound more professional and clear. Don't worry if you stumble; numbers are tricky for everyone!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Romanian numbers are different from English because of the connector și. In English, you say "twenty-one". In Romanian, you say "twenty and one". It feels a bit more old-fashioned, like "four and twenty blackbirds". Also, the gender agreement for 'one' and 'two' is unique. English doesn't care if you have two boys or two girls. Romanian cares very much! Doi băieți but două fete. Another contrast is the preposition de. English just says "twenty dollars". Romanian says "twenty of dollars". It is a small structural bridge that you must build. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature. It’s like adding salt to a dish; it just belongs there.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is zero the same as in English?

Yes, it is spelled the same and sounds very similar.

Q

Why does 12 have two forms?

It follows the gender of the noun, like doi and două.

Q

Do I need și for 15?

No, only for numbers 21 and above that have units.

Q

Is unsprezece always that long?

In writing, yes. In speaking, people often say unșpe.

Q

How do I say 100?

Use the word o sută. It literally means "one hundred".

Q

What about 1000?

That would be o mie. Romanian uses feminine forms for 100 and 1000.

Romanian Numbers 0-10

Number Romanian Pronunciation
0
zero
ze-ro
1
unu
u-nu
2
doi
doy
3
trei
tray
4
patru
pa-tru
5
cinci
chin-chi
6
șase
sha-se
7
șapte
shap-te
8
opt
opt
9
nouă
no-uă
10
zece
ze-che

Gender Agreement for 1 and 2

Number Masculine Feminine
1
un
o
2
doi
două

Meanings

Cardinal numbers represent quantity or count of items, serving as adjectives or nouns.

1

Counting

The act of enumerating items.

“Unu, doi, trei, patru.”

“Număr până la zece.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Cardinal Numbers
Digit Romanian (Masc/Fem) Usage Note
1
unu / un / o
Use 'un/o' before nouns.
2
doi / două
Use 'două' for feminine nouns.
11
unsprezece
Often shortened to 'unșpe' in speech.
12
doisprezece / douăsprezece
Matches gender of the noun.
20
douăzeci
Requires 'de' before a noun.
21
douăzeci și unu
Always use 'și' for units.
100
o sută
Treat as a feminine noun.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Am două bilete.

Am două bilete. (General)

Neutral
Am două bilete.

Am două bilete. (General)

Informal
Am două bilete.

Am două bilete. (General)

Slang
Am două bilete.

Am două bilete. (General)

Numbers in Daily Life

Numere

Shopping

  • Preț Price
  • Bani Money

Time

  • Oră Hour
  • Vârstă Age

Gender Split: 2 and 12

Masculine
doi băieți two boys
doisprezece lei twelve lei
Feminine
două fete two girls
douăsprezece ore twelve hours

The 'DE' Rule Decision Tree

1

Is the number 20 or higher?

YES ↓
NO
No 'de' needed (e.g., 19 lei)
2

Is there a noun following it?

YES ↓
NO
No 'de' needed (just the number)
3

Use [Number] + 'de' + [Noun]

NO
Example: 20 de euro

Number Building Blocks

🌱

The Roots (0-10)

  • • unu
  • • doi
  • • trei
  • • zece
🥪

The Sandwich (11-19)

  • • un-spre-zece
  • • doi-spre-zece
🔗

The Connector (21-99)

  • • douăzeci și unu
  • • treizeci și doi
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Am trei mere.

I have three apples.

2

Ea are un frate.

She has one brother.

3

Vreau două cafele.

I want two coffees.

4

Câți ani ai?

How old are you?

1

Am douăzeci și unu de ani.

I am twenty-one years old.

2

Avem unsprezece bilete.

We have eleven tickets.

3

Nu am patru lei.

I don't have four lei.

4

Câte mere sunt?

How many apples are there?

1

Prețul este de cincizeci și cinci de euro.

The price is fifty-five euros.

2

Am nevoie de douăzeci de minute.

I need twenty minutes.

3

A ajuns la ora șapte.

He arrived at seven o'clock.

4

Sunt o sută de oameni aici.

There are one hundred people here.

1

Proiectul durează două luni.

The project lasts two months.

2

Avem o rată de creștere de zece la sută.

We have a growth rate of ten percent.

3

Am citit trei sute de pagini.

I read three hundred pages.

4

Sunt două mii de participanți.

There are two thousand participants.

1

Cifra de afaceri a depășit un milion de euro.

The turnover exceeded one million euros.

2

Au fost mii de oameni în piață.

There were thousands of people in the square.

3

A calculat probabilitatea la unu la un milion.

He calculated the probability at one in a million.

4

Suntem în secolul douăzeci și unu.

We are in the twenty-first century.

1

Sistemul zecimal a fost adoptat în secolul al nouălea.

The decimal system was adopted in the ninth century.

2

A fost o cifră simbolică, nu una reală.

It was a symbolic figure, not a real one.

3

Numerele cardinale au o origine indo-europeană.

Cardinal numbers have an Indo-European origin.

4

A numărat până la infinit în mintea sa.

He counted to infinity in his mind.

Easily Confused

Cardinal Numbers vs Cardinal vs Ordinal

Learners mix up 'unu' (1) and 'primul' (1st).

Cardinal Numbers vs Gender Agreement

Using 'un' for feminine nouns.

Cardinal Numbers vs Teen Numbers

Using 'zece și unu' instead of 'unsprezece'.

Common Mistakes

✗

un fată

✓

o fată

Wrong gender agreement.
✗

doi fete

✓

două fete

Wrong gender agreement.
✗

unusprezece

✓

unsprezece

Extra vowel.
✗

zece și unu

✓

unsprezece

Wrong structure for teens.
✗

douăzeci unu

✓

douăzeci și unu

Missing 'și'.
✗

patruzeci

✓

patruzeci

Spelling error.
✗

șaptezeci

✓

șaptezeci

Spelling error.
✗

două sute

✓

două sute

Agreement error.
✗

trei mii

✓

trei mii

Agreement error.
✗

o sută și unu

✓

o sută unu

Unnecessary 'și'.
✗

douăzeci și doi de oameni

✓

douăzeci și doi de oameni

Case error.
✗

o sută de oameni

✓

o sută de oameni

Preposition error.
✗

două mii de lei

✓

două mii de lei

Preposition error.

Sentence Patterns

Am ___ mere.

Vreau ___ cafele.

Am ___ ani.

Costă ___ lei.

Real World Usage

Ordering food very common

Două pizza, vă rog.

Shopping very common

Cât costă? Zece lei.

Texting common

Ne vedem la 5?

Job interview common

Am trei ani experiență.

Travel common

Un bilet, vă rog.

Phone numbers constant

Zero șapte...

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

The 'Un' Shortcut

Never say 'unu' before a noun. It sounds like saying 'I have one a book'. Use 'un' for masculine and 'o' for feminine nouns.
⚠️

Watch the 'De'

If you forget 'de' after 20, people will still understand you, but it's the biggest giveaway that you're a beginner. It’s like a tiny tax you pay for using bigger numbers!
🎯

Native Speed

Romanians love to shorten 'sprezece' to 'șpe'. So 'unsprezece' becomes 'unșpe'. Learn it to understand locals, but write the full version.
💬

Money Talk

When talking about prices, Romanians often omit the word 'lei' if the context is clear. They might just say 'douăzeci și cinci' at the kiosk.

Smart Tips

Always identify the noun's gender first.

un fată → o fată

Don't forget the 'și'.

douăzeci unu → douăzeci și unu

Use the 'spre' suffix.

zece și unu → unsprezece

Use 'de' before the noun.

două sute oameni → două sute de oameni

Pronunciation

nouă (no-uă)

Vowel 'ă'

The 'ă' is a schwa sound, like the 'a' in 'about'.

șase (sha-se)

Consonant 'ș'

The 'ș' is like the 'sh' in 'ship'.

Rising for questions

Câte mere? ↗

Indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'spre' as 'towards'—11 is 'one towards ten'.

Visual Association

Imagine a clock face where 11 is 'unsprezece' and 12 is 'doisprezece'.

Rhyme

Unu, doi, trei, patru, cinci, / Șase, șapte, opt, nouă, zece, suntem aici!

Story

I have one (un) brother and one (o) sister. We bought two (doi) apples and two (două) pears. We counted to ten (zece) and felt happy.

Word Web

zerounudoitreipatrucincizece

Challenge

Count all the chairs in your room out loud in Romanian.

Cultural Notes

Numbers are often used in bargaining at markets.

Romanian numbers are derived from Latin.

Conversation Starters

“

Câți ani ai?

“

Câte mere vrei?

“

Cât costă asta?

“

Câți oameni sunt la petrecere?

Journal Prompts

List 5 things you have in your bag.
Describe your family members.
Write about your typical day using numbers for time.
Plan a shopping list with prices.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Choose the correct form of 'two' for feminine nouns.

Vreau ___ portocale, vă rog.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: două
Portocale (oranges) is feminine plural, so we use 'două'.
Fill in the missing connector for the number 22.

Am douăzeci ___ doi de ani.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: și
We use 'și' to connect tens and units in Romanian.
Identify the missing word required after the number 20.

Costă treizeci ___ euro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: de
Numbers from 20 onwards require 'de' before the noun they quantify.

Score: /3

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct number.

Am ___ (2) mere.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: două
Mere is feminine.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

___ (1) băiat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: un
Băiat is masculine.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Am un fată.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Am o fată.
Fată is feminine.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

mere / trei / am

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Am trei mere.
Standard SVO order.
Translate to Romanian. Translation

Twenty-one

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: douăzeci și unu
Needs 'și'.
Write the number. Conjugation Drill

11

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: unsprezece
Correct teen form.
Match number to word. Match Pairs

5

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cinci
5 is cinci.
Is this correct? True False Rule

Douăzeci unu is correct.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Needs 'și'.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

They are adjectives that must match the noun's gender.

Douăzeci și unu.

No, they follow a logical pattern.

They use the 'spre' suffix.

Yes, just add 'ora'.

No, only masculine nouns.

Use the cardinal number + de + oameni.

Mostly in pronunciation, not the numbers themselves.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

uno, dos, tres

Romanian has a specific suffix for teens.

French high

un, deux, trois

French uses a base-20 system for 70-99.

German moderate

eins, zwei, drei

German is Germanic, not Romance.

Japanese low

ichi, ni, san

Japanese does not have gendered numbers.

Arabic low

wahid, ithnan, thalatha

Arabic gender agreement is reversed.

Chinese none

yi, er, san

Chinese has no gender agreement.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Telling Time

Related Grammar Rules

A2

Ordinal Numbers

Overview Ever tried to tell a friend you live on the fourth floor? Or maybe you want to brag about being the first in l...
A2

Complex Numbers

Overview Counting in Romanian is a bit like building with LEGO bricks. Once you know the basic blocks, you can build an...
A0

Numbers 1-10 (Cifre)

Overview Welcome to your first big step in Romanian! Numbers are the heartbeat of daily life. You need them for everyth...
A2

Fractions and Decimals

Overview Fractions and decimals are the secret ingredients of any language. You need them to follow a recipe. You need...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!