Romanian yes–no questions

A Romanian yes–no question asks whether a whole statement is true. Start with Vii mâine? (Are you coming tomorrow?) The words can stay in an ordinary sentence pattern; intonation and the question mark make the question clear.

How do you form a yes–no question?

You can keep the ordinary word order and the same finite verb — the verb that carries tense and agrees with the subject. In a neutral spoken question, let the voice rise toward the end. In writing, use a question mark. Romanian does not add an English-style auxiliary or require subject–verb inversion.

Where does the subject go?

A named subject can stay in the ordinary subject–verb position, an explicit pronoun can add contrast, or the subject pronoun can be omitted when the verb and context make it clear. See basic Romanian word order and Romanian subject pronouns for the larger patterns.

• A noun subject can stay before the verb in a neutral question: Maria vine mâine? (Is Maria coming tomorrow?)
• A postverbal noun subject is also possible: Vine Maria mâine? can ask whether Maria is coming. This order reflects Romanian's flexible information structure; it is not an obligatory question rule.
• Omit a clear subject pronoun: Vii mâine? (Are you coming tomorrow?) The form vii identifies tu; the pronoun is not required.
• Keep a pronoun for contrast or emphasis: Tu vii mâine? (Are you coming tomorrow?) This can contrast tu with another person.
• Use a noun or pronoun when omission would be unclear: Ea vine mâine? (Is she coming tomorrow?)

How does negation work in a question?

Put nu directly before the finite verb, just as in a negative statement. A negative yes–no question can check a possible negative or invite the listener to correct the assumption: Nu lucrezi aici? (Don’t you work here?) The form itself does not force one conversational intention.

How do you give a short answer?

The shortest replies are da (yes) and nu (no). For a clear, complete reply, repeat the finite verb or the relevant phrase. Romanian does not need an English-style auxiliary in the answer, and the subject pronoun is usually still omitted.

How do you answer a negative question clearly?

With a negative question, choose whether you confirm the negative or contradict it. To confirm Nu vii? (Aren’t you coming?), say Nu, nu vin. (No, I am not coming.) To contradict it and say that you are coming, use Ba da, vin. (Yes, I am coming.) The word ba marks the correction, so a bare da is not the clearest choice for this positive answer.

• Positive question, positive answer: Vii mâine? — Da, vin. (Are you coming tomorrow? — Yes, I am.)
• Positive question, negative answer: Vii mâine? — Nu, nu vin. (Are you coming tomorrow? — No, I am not.)
• Negative question, confirmation of the negative: Nu vii mâine? — Nu, nu vin. (Aren’t you coming tomorrow? — No, I am not.)
• Negative question, correction to the positive: Nu vii mâine? — Ba da, vin. (Aren’t you coming tomorrow? — Yes, I am.)

Essential variation and common traps

Ba nu is also a current combination, but it is a marked correction to a positive assumption: Vii mâine. — Ba nu, nu vin. (You are coming tomorrow. — No, I am not.) For an ordinary negative reply to Vii mâine?, use Nu, nu vin. The optional word oare adds a sense of wondering or uncertainty: Oare vine mâine? (I wonder whether he or she is coming tomorrow.) It is not a required question marker. Keep the neutral final rise as your starting pronunciation; focus, emotion, and regional speech can change the detailed contour.

• Do not translate English Do you work here? by adding an auxiliary to Romanian. Say Lucrezi aici?
• Do not move nu away from the finite verb: Nu lucrezi aici? is the basic negative pattern.
• Do not assume that tu must appear. Lucrezi aici? is complete; Tu lucrezi aici? adds contrast or emphasis.
• Do not confuse a period with a question mark in writing: Vii mâine. is a statement, while Vii mâine? is a question.