Politeness with 'dumneavoastră' — Romanian Grammar

Romanian, like many languages, separates a friendly "you" from a respectful one. To one friend, child or family member you say . To a stranger, an elder, or anyone in a formal setting, you switch to the polite .

It Always Takes Plural Forms

The key grammar point: behaves grammatically as a plural, even when you are addressing a single person. The verb and the pronouns take the (plural) shape:

Ce doriți?
What would you like? (polite, plural verb)
Cu ce vă pot ajuta?
How can I help you? (polite vă)
Bagajele dumneavoastră sunt grele.
Your luggage is heavy.

Compare the informal (singular) with the polite (plural form for one respected person).

Where to Use It

Use with people you don't know, with officials, in shops and restaurants, and with anyone older or senior. Romanians switch to once a relationship becomes friendly, often by mutual agreement.

A Shorter Cousin

There is also , a middle-ground polite "you" - more distant than but less formal than . It is used less often and can sound old-fashioned or slightly stern.

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