Pattern

Time of day uses the definite article on the noun: dimineața (in the morning), seara (in the evening), noaptea (at night). No preposition needed.

Explanation

Romanian uses the bare definite article form of the time-of-day noun as an adverb. Dimineața (in the morning, from dimineață). La amiază / la prânz (at noon). După-amiaza (in the afternoon). Seara (in the evening, from seară). Noaptea (at night, from noapte).

These adverb-like forms tell you WHEN something habitually happens: Dimineața beau cafea (In the morning I drink coffee). Seara mănânc târziu (In the evening I eat late). Noaptea dorm (At night I sleep).

For a specific morning ("this morning, tomorrow morning"), Romanian combines with another word: azi dimineață (this morning), mâine dimineață (tomorrow morning), aseară (yesterday evening). Note aseară is a single fused word.

Examples

RomanianEnglish
Dimineața mă trezesc la șapte.In the morning I wake up at seven.
Lucrez seara până târziu.I work in the evening until late.
Noaptea e liniște.At night it's quiet.
După-amiaza beau ceai.In the afternoon I drink tea.
Aseară am fost la film.Last night I went to the movies.

Common mistakes

  • Using a preposition: În dimineața sounds wrong; just dimineața.
  • Confusing seară (noun) with seara (adverb): O seară plăcută (a pleasant evening) vs. Seara mănânc (in the evening I eat).
  • Using "noapte" for "at night": It's noaptea (with article).