A2·28 min
Talking About the Past
Perfectul compus
Romanian's everyday past tense is „perfectul compus” — formed with auxiliary „a avea” plus the participle. It's like English present perfect in form but used like simple past in meaning.
Vocabulary
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săptămâna trecută
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anul trecut
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acum două zile
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am mers
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am văzut
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am mâncat
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am fost
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am făcut
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am citit
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Grammar
Forming the compound past
Auxiliary forms of „a avea”: am, ai, a, am, ați, au + participiu trecut. Participles usually end in -t or -s.
- eu am mâncat — I ate
- tu ai mâncat
- el / ea a mâncat
- noi am mâncat
- voi ați mâncat
- ei / ele au mâncat
Common irregular participles
Some verbs have irregular participles you must memorise.
- a face → făcut
- a spune → spus
- a vedea → văzut
- a fi → fost
- a citi → citit
Dialogue
🔊 to hear each lineAna
Ce ai făcut weekendul trecut?
What did you do last weekend?
James
Am fost la Brașov cu prietenii.
I went to Brașov with friends.
Ana
V-a plăcut?
Did you like it?
James
Da, am vizitat castelul Bran și am mâncat sarmale.
Yes, we visited Bran Castle and ate cabbage rolls.
Quiz
Answer all questions, then check your score1.
Auxiliary for „he/she went”: „el ___ mers”
2.
Past participle of „a fi”:
3.
„Am văzut” means…
4.
Correct: „Noi ___ mâncat.”