Ways to say it
| Romanian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zăpadă | [zəˈpadə] (narrow) | feminine |
| nea | feminine | |
| omăt | neuter |
The word refers to the crystalline state of water falling from the atmosphere, the act of it falling or the white layer that accumulates on the ground. In technical or scientific contexts, you can use the phrase precipitații sub formă de zăpadă to describe precipitation in the form of snow. To express the action of snow falling, use the impersonal verb a ninge.
Which one should you use?
zăpadă is the most common and standard word for snow used in everyday conversation. nea is a more poetic or literary term, often found in literature or songs. omăt is a regional variant or a more colloquial term used in certain areas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
nea may be heard in certain regions of Romania, such as Transylvania. Similarly, omăt is used as a regional variant in certain areas.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
zăpadă is a feminine noun, so any adjectives describing it must also be in the feminine form. omăt is a neuter noun, which means it takes feminine singular and masculine plural forms.
Did you know?
- In the southern half of Romania, the Slavic-influenced zăpadă completely displaced the original Latin-derived word nea in common speech.
Examples in context
- Pare a fi zăpadă.It looks like snow.This sentence shows how to use zăpadă to describe appearance.Tatoeba #7726506 by CataG, translation #272545 by CK
- Este zăpadă pe sol.There's snow on the ground.This sentence demonstrates the use of zăpadă regarding its location on the ground.Tatoeba #7726666 by CataG, translation #2644061 by CK
- A căzut multă zăpadă.Much snow has fallen.This sentence illustrates the use of zăpadă when describing an amount that has fallen.Tatoeba #7726505 by CataG, translation #272529 by sundown
- Astăzi am avut o ninsoare abundentă în oraș.Today we had heavy snowfall in the city.
- Iarna aceasta, zăpada a creat un peisaj magic în munți.This winter, the snow created a magical landscape in the mountains.
- Ninge afară.It is snowing outside.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andreea and Alexandru are looking out the window at a winter morning.
- AndreeaUită-te, Alexandru, a căzut multă zăpadă!Look, Alexandru, a lot of snow has fallen!
- AlexandruDa, zăpada este albă și strălucitoare.Yes, the snow is white and bright.
- AndreeaVrei să ieșim afară în zăpadă?Do you want to go out in the snow?
- AlexandruSigur că da, Andreea!Of course, Andreea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries zăpadă, nea, omăt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nea, omăt, zăpadă, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
