Demonstratives: This & That

01

The Two Distances

• "this" - acest (m), această (f); "these" - acești, aceste
• "that" - acel (m), acea (f); "those" - acei, acele

02

Short Form Before, Long Form After

Each demonstrative has a short shape used before the noun, and a long shape (with a final -a) used either after the noun or standing alone as a pronoun:

• acest băiat

  this boy (before the noun)

• băiatul acesta

  this boy (after the definite noun)

• Acesta este fratele meu.

  This is my brother. (standing alone)

03

The Everyday Spoken Forms

In conversation Romanians mostly use shorter, informal demonstratives. They always follow the noun:

• "this" - ăsta (m), asta (f)
• "that" - ăla (m), aia (f)

• Cartea asta e veche.

  This book is old.

• Cine e băiatul ăla?

  Who is that boy?

• Ce e asta?

  What is this?

The neutral standalone asta ("this / that thing") is extremely common for pointing at an unnamed thing.