Pattern
Conditional-optative: invariable conditional auxiliary aș, ai, ar, am, ați, ar + short infinitive (verb without "a"). Aș merge (I would go), Am merge (We would go).
Explanation
The conditional-optative expresses what would happen, what you would like, or hypothetical situations. Formation is straightforward: the auxiliary forms aș, ai, ar, am, ați, ar + the short infinitive (the infinitive without the a-particle).
For a merge (to go) → short infinitive merge: aș merge, ai merge, ar merge, am merge, ați merge, ar merge. The 1pl am, the 2sg ai and the 2pl ați look the same as the perfect compus auxiliary; the verb form tells them apart (am merge vs. am mers). The 1sg is aș, never am. The 3sg and 3pl share ar.
Uses:
- Politeness: Aș vrea o cafea (I would like a coffee)
- Hypothetical: Aș merge la mare dacă aș avea timp (I would go to the sea if I had time)
- Wishes: Aș dori să te văd (I would wish to see you)
- Advice: Eu aș face altfel (I would do it differently)
The conditional is essential for polite requests, supposition, and hypotheticals. Master aș, ai, ar first; the plural forms come naturally.
Conjugation (a vrea → conditional)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| eu (I) | aș vrea |
| tu (you, informal) | ai vrea |
| el/ea (he/she) | ar vrea |
| noi (we) | am vrea |
| voi (you pl.) | ați vrea |
| ei/ele (they) | ar vrea |
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Aș merge la cinema, dar nu am timp. | I would go to the cinema, but I don't have time. |
| Ai vrea o cafea? | Would you like a coffee? |
| Ar fi frumos să ne vedem. | It would be nice to see each other. |
| Am putea încerca mâine. | We could try tomorrow. |
| Ar veni, dar e bolnav. | He would come, but he's sick. |
Common mistakes
- Conjugating the verb after the auxiliary: It stays short infinitive — aș merg is wrong; it's aș merge.
- Confusing the 1pl conditional "am" with the perfect compus "am": only the first person plural coincides (1sg is aș). The verb form tells them apart: am mers (we went, participle) vs. am merge (we would go, short infinitive).
- Using "să" after the conditional auxiliary: Aș să merg is wrong; just aș merge.