Pattern
A merge (to go) is technically an -e verb but with stem stress and some irregular features. Present: merg, mergi, merge, mergem, mergeți, merg.
Explanation
A merge is one of the most-used verbs in Romanian. It means "to go" (on foot or in general) but is also used for "to function/work" (Cum merge?), "to be going well" (Merge bine!), and in many idioms (a merge la școală = to attend school, a merge cu mașina = to go by car).
The present conjugation is regular for an -e verb: merg, mergi, merge, mergem, mergeți, merg. The 1sg and 3pl share the form merg. Stress stays on the stem in every form, 1pl and 2pl included: MER-gem, MER-geți. That is the mark of an -e verb; -ea verbs such as a vedea move it to the ending (ve-DEM, ve-DEȚI).
Past tense (perfect compus): am mers, ai mers, a mers, am mers, ați mers, au mers — uses the auxiliary a avea + past participle mers (irregular — not mergat).
Conjugation
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| eu (I) | merg |
| tu (you, informal) | mergi |
| el/ea (he/she) | merge |
| noi (we) | mergem |
| voi (you pl.) | mergeți |
| ei/ele (they) | merg |
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Eu merg la birou. | I go to the office. |
| Tu mergi des la cinema? | Do you often go to the cinema? |
| Mașina merge bine. | The car runs well. |
| Noi mergem pe jos. | We go on foot. |
| Cum merge treaba? | How's it going? |
Common mistakes
- Saying "merg" for "I'm going to" (future): Romanian uses o să merg or voi merge for future, not the bare present alone.
- Confusing merg (I/they) with merge (he/she): One letter difference, big meaning shift.
- Forgetting the irregular past participle: It's mers, not mergat.