Romanian uses a genitive article before a possessor when the genitive phrase is independent, separated from its noun, or attached to an indefinite noun. Its form agrees with the possessed noun: un coleg al Mariei (a colleague of Maria's), but o colegă a Mariei (a female colleague of Maria's).
How do you choose al, a, ai, or ale?
Identify the gender and number of the possessed noun, then choose the matching genitive article; do not match it to the possessor.
| Possessed noun | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine singular | al | un coleg al Mariei (a colleague of Maria's) |
| Neuter singular | al | un mesaj al colegului (a message from the colleague) |
| Feminine singular | a | o idee a lui (an idea of his) |
| Masculine plural | ai | niște pantofi ai lui (some shoes of his) |
| Feminine or neuter plural | ale | niște fotografii ale familiei (some photographs of the family) |
When does the genitive article appear?
- Use it after an indefinite possessed noun: o fotografie a Mariei (a photograph of Maria's).
- Use it when another modifier comes between the possessed noun and the possessor: fotografia veche a Mariei (Maria's old photograph).
- Use it when the genitive is independent: A cui este fotografia? — A Mariei. (Whose photograph is it? — Maria's.)
- With a definite noun followed immediately by its genitive possessor, the ordinary close pattern usually has no genitive article: fotografia Mariei (Maria's photograph).
What does the article agree with?
Look at the noun naming the thing possessed, not at the person or thing that possesses it. Compare un coleg al Mariei (a male colleague of Maria's), o colegă a Mariei (a female colleague of Maria's), niște colegi ai Mariei (some male colleagues of Maria's), and niște colege ale Mariei (some female colleagues of Maria's). The possessor itself still has its own genitive form; see genitive and dative noun forms.
How does it work with possessive pronouns?
The same agreement appears in possessive pronouns and in phrases such as un prieten al meu (a friend of mine), niște prieteni ai mei (some friends of mine), and niște prietene ale mele (some female friends of mine). Compare the close definite forms prietenul meu (my friend) and prietenele mele (my female friends).
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not agree with the possessor: o carte al Mariei is incorrect; say o carte a Mariei because carte is feminine singular.
- Do not add the genitive article to every definite noun phrase: cartea a Mariei is incorrect in the ordinary close pattern; say cartea Mariei.
- Do not use a for every plural: niște pantofi ai lui uses ai because pantofi is masculine plural, while niște fotografii ale lui uses ale because fotografii is feminine plural.
Which genitive article belongs with a feminine singular possessed noun?
- al
- a
- ai
- ale
Feminine singular takes a. For example, o carte a Mariei has a because carte is feminine singular.
Choose the correct phrase for “a book of Maria's.”
- o carte al Mariei
- o carte a Mariei
- o carte ai Mariei
- o carte ale Mariei
The possessed noun carte is feminine singular, so the phrase uses a: o carte a Mariei.
Complete the sentence: Am cumpărat niște pantofi ___ lui Andrei.
- al
- a
- ai
- ale
Pantofi is masculine plural, so its genitive article is ai: niște pantofi ai lui Andrei.
Which sentence correctly means “The old photographs of the family are here”?
- Fotografiile vechi ale familiei sunt aici.
- Fotografiile vechi a familiei sunt aici.
- Fotografiile vechi ai familiei sunt aici.
- Fotografiile vechi al familiei sunt aici.
Fotografiile is feminine plural, so the intervening adjective requires ale: fotografiile vechi ale familiei.
Complete the ordinary close genitive: ___ este pe masă. (The book is on the table; it is Maria's book.)
- Cartea Mariei
- Cartea a Mariei
- O carte Mariei
- Cartea ai Mariei
A definite noun followed immediately by its possessor normally uses the close form without the genitive article: Cartea Mariei.