păianjen
[pəˈjanʒen]masculine
The English word "spider" is păianjen in Romanian.
The word refers to the arthropod known as a spider.
Meaning: arthropod (noun)
Which one should you use?
You may use the diminutive Păianjenel when referring to a spider that is smaller or perceived as cuter.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "the spider", you add the definite article -ul to the end to form păianjenul. In the genitive or dative case, such as when saying "of the spider", the word changes to păianjenului.
Did you know?
- Because of the word's Slavic origins, the term păianjen sounds distinctively different from the Latin-rooted words for similar creatures in Western Romance languages.
- In Romanian, the word for a spider's web, pânză, is the same word used for 'canvas' or 'linen'.
- The term pânză de păianjen is used metaphorically to describe a complex trap or a sticky, difficult situation.
Examples in context
- Este acest păianjen periculos?Is this spider dangerous?This sentence is useful for asking if a păianjen is dangerous.Tatoeba #10535288 by CataG, translation #13622139 by rul
- El vrea să strivească păianjenul.He wants to squish the spider.This sentence shows the use of the definite form păianjenul.Tatoeba #5406382 by elenacristina260, translation #2176352 by dafp
- Care păianjen este cel mai veninos?What spider is the most venomous?This sentence is useful for asking which păianjen is the most venomous.Tatoeba #13935696 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13935694 by Ioan_Cristian
- Am văzut un păianjen uriaș în grădină.I saw a giant spider in the garden.
- Mi-e teamă de păianjeni.I am afraid of spiders.
- M-am speriat de păianjenelul draguț de lângă pat.I got scared of the cute little spider next to the bed.
- Sper că păianjenița din colț nu se mută în camera mea.I hope the little spider in the corner doesn't move into my room.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a living room, Elena points to a corner.
- GabrielElena, privește acel păianjen de pe perete!Elena, look at that spider on the wall!
- ElenaO, este un păianjen foarte negru.Oh, it is a very black spider.
- GabrielVrei să îl scoți afară, Elena?Do you want to take it outside, Elena?
- ElenaNu, Gabriel, te rog fă tu asta.No, Gabriel, please do that yourself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spider” translations and entries păianjen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
