ceva
[t͡ʃeˈva]
The Romanian word for 'something' is ceva.
ceva is used to refer to an unspecified object. In Romanian, it is frequently used to mean 'something or other' or 'some kind of' when the specific nature of the object is unknown.
Meaning: unspecified object (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
ceva is an indeclinable pronoun, which means it does not change its form based on gender or grammatical case.
Did you know?
- The word ceva is actually a contraction of two words: ce (what) and the suffix -va (an indefinite particle).
- In casual speech, ceva can function as an adverb meaning 'somewhat' or 'a bit'. For example, saying a dress is ceva long implies it is slightly too long.
- In some regional slang, 'ceva' can be used to imply a 'trick' or a 'hidden agenda', moving far beyond its literal meaning of an object.
Examples in context
- Ai în plan ceva.You're up to something.This example shows how to express that someone is 'up to something' using ceva.Tatoeba #7707597 by CataG, translation #516273 by CM
- Nu uită Tom ceva?Isn't Tom forgetting something?This sentence uses ceva to ask if someone is forgetting something.Tatoeba #4316538 by adikinzor, translation #1027415 by CK
- A zis cineva ceva?Did someone say something?This sentence demonstrates the use of ceva in a question about whether something was said.Tatoeba #3209030 by ijikure, translation #2062781 by CK
- 196 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alexandru and Elena are in the kitchen.
- AlexandruVrei ceva de băut?Do you want something to drink?
- ElenaDa, am nevoie de ceva rece.Yes, I need something cold.
- AlexandruAm ceva în frigider.I have something in the fridge.
- ElenaPerfect, mulțumesc mult!Perfect, thank you very much!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “something” translations and entries ceva, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ceva, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
