lumină
/luˈmi.nə/feminine
The English word 'light' is translated into Romanian as lumină.
lumină is the noun used to describe light. If you want to refer specifically to a light source, you can use the phrase sursă de lumină. For a small patch of light, such as a glade where light breaks through trees, the word luminiș is used.
Meaning: visible light, brightness (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun lumină refers to the physical phenomenon of light, whereas the verb a lumina means to illuminate or brighten.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural genitive/dative form of lumină is luminilor, which means 'of the lights'.
How do you pronounce it?
lumină is pronounced /luˈmi.nə/. The stress is on the second of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- The Romanian word lumină is actually a direct inheritance from the Latin plural form lūmina, meaning 'lights'. In Romanian, this plural Latin root evolved into a singular noun.
- In Romanian spiritual and religious contexts, Lumina is often used as a metaphor for the divine or the Holy Spirit, appearing frequently in Orthodox liturgy to represent spiritual enlightenment.
- While lumină is the noun, the related verb a lumina is used not just for lamps, but to describe the 'lighting up' of a person's face when they smile or feel joy.
Examples in context
- Sperăm că adevărul va ieși la lumină.We hope that the truth comes to light.This sentence is useful for showing the metaphorical use of lumină in the phrase 'comes to light'.Tatoeba #2977792 by ijikure, translation #1365757 by CM
- Probabil că ancheta va scoate la lumină multe detalii.The investigation will probably bring a lot of details to light.This sentence shows how lumină is used in the context of an investigation bringing details to light.Tatoeba #6537799 by elenacristina260, translation #277959 by CM
- Galaxia spirală care este cea mai apropiată de galaxia noastră, Calea Lactee, este Andromeda. Andromeda se află la peste 2 milioane de ani-lumină. Nucleul său central și brațele spirale sunt înclinate spre noi într-un unghi de 15 grade.The spiral galaxy closest to our Milky Way galaxy is Andromeda. Andromeda is over 2 million light-years away. Its central bulge and spiral arms are tilted toward us at a 15 degree angle.This sentence demonstrates the use of lumină within the term for light-years.Tatoeba #8930937 by elenacristina260, translation #3957799 by Hybrid
- În acea seară, luminițele orașului străluceau magic.That evening, the city lights were shining magically.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Alexandru are in a dark room.
- MariaAlexandru, nu există nicio lumină în cameră.Alexandru, there is no light in the room.
- AlexandruAșteaptă, caut întrerupătorul pentru lumină.Wait, I am looking for the light switch.
- MariaAcuși va intra lumină prin fereastră.Light will enter through the window soon.
- AlexandruDa, soarele aduce multă lumină acum.Yes, the sun brings a lot of light now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light” translations and entries lumină, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lumină, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
