Pattern
The subjunctive uses să + special verb form. For most persons, the verb looks like the indicative; the 3rd person (sg./pl.) takes a special subjunctive form. Vreau să merg (I want to go), Vreau să meargă (I want him/her to go).
Explanation
The Romanian subjunctive (conjunctiv) is essential for expressing wishes, intentions, suggestions, and many subordinate clauses. It's introduced by the particle să and has its own conjugation. For most persons, the subjunctive verb matches the present indicative. Only the 3rd person singular and plural takes a distinctive form.
The 3rd person subjunctive transforms predictably:
- -a verbs: indicative cântă → subjunctive cânte (Vreau să cânte)
- -i verbs: indicative vorbește → subjunctive vorbească (Vreau să vorbească)
- -e verbs: indicative merge → subjunctive meargă (Vreau să meargă)
- -ea verbs: indicative vede → subjunctive vadă (Vreau să vadă)
The subjunctive is used after many verbs and constructions: vreau să (I want to), trebuie să (must), pot să (can), aș vrea să (I would like to), e bine să (it's good to). It also appears in purpose clauses (ca să — in order to), some commands (Să mănânci! — Eat!), and toasts (Să ai noroc! — Good luck!).
Conjugation (a merge → subjunctive)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| eu (I) | să merg |
| tu (you, informal) | să mergi |
| el/ea (he/she) | să meargă |
| noi (we) | să mergem |
| voi (you pl.) | să mergeți |
| ei/ele (they) | să meargă |
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Vreau să merg acasă. | I want to go home. |
| Trebuie să meargă la doctor. | He has to go to the doctor. |
| E bine să citești mult. | It's good to read a lot. |
| Să avem noroc! | May we have luck! |
| Pot să te ajut? | Can I help you? |
Common mistakes
- Using indicative after subjunctive triggers: Vreau să el merge is wrong; it's Vreau să meargă.
- Forgetting the 3rd person subjunctive form: Să merge is wrong; it's să meargă.
- Dropping "să": Vreau merg is wrong; să is required.
Heritage learner note
Heritage speakers usually have the subjunctive on autopilot for common verbs (vreau să merg, trebuie să plec). The challenge is the 3rd person form. You may say vreau să el merge (using indicative merge) instead of standard vreau să meargă (subjunctive). Slow down when forming the subjunctive: -a verbs end in -e (cânte), -i and -e verbs end in -ă (vorbească, meargă). Heritage speakers also often drop să in rapid speech — standard Romanian requires it.