Adjectives

1. Mare

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Headwords are masculine singular; they agree with the noun, e.g. mic → mică (fem.).

2. Mic

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Greu

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Ușor

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   "Ușor" means both light in weight and easy. Light as in bright is "luminos".

5. Scump

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

6. Ieftin

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Fierbinte

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "fierbinte" is hot to the touch; hot weather uses "cald" (Este cald).

8. Rece

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Nou

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Vechi

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "vechi" for things and "bătrân" for people; vechi is never used of a person.

11. Tânăr

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Bătrân

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

13. Curat

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

14. Murdar

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Bun

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Rău

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Aproape

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Departe

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Devreme

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "devreme" is early in time; fast in speed is "rapid".

20. Târziu

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "târziu" is late in time; slow in speed is "încet".

21. Mult

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

22. Puțin

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Cald

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather is "Este cald"; hot food is "fierbinte".

24. Frig

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather is "Este frig"; a cold drink is "rece".

25. Drăguț

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "drăguță"

26. Mișto

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    A colloquial, invariable word

27. Delicios

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "delicioasă"

28. Incredibil

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "incredibilă"

29. Distractiv

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "distractivă"

30. Mai mult

    More

    Usage

    Show it to ask for a refill or an extra helping

    Grammar Note

    "Mai" forms comparatives; "mai puțin" means "less"

31. Doar puțin

    Just a little

    Usage

    Show it to keep a portion small; "doar" (only) caps the amount

32. Jumătate

    Half

    Usage

    Show it to ask for half the amount

33. Totul

    All of it

    Usage

    Means the whole lot; the bare form "tot" doubles as an adverb meaning "still/always", so this articled form is clearer

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