then; at that time
Refers to a past or future time already known from context.
Atunci locuiam în Cluj.
I was living in Cluj then.
Ne vedem atunci, la ora opt.
We’ll meet then, at eight o’clock.
#82 · Adverb · ADV
In Romanian, atunci means “then; at that time”. It’s the #82 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
A very common adverb meaning “then/at that time,” and also used in questions and links in speech, like “so/therefore” or “in that case.”
neutralRefers to a past or future time already known from context.
I was living in Cluj then.
We’ll meet then, at eight o’clock.
Often introduces a conclusion or next step, especially in speech.
If that’s how things are, then we’re leaving.
Then let’s get started.
Used in questions to ask about a time or consequence.
And then what do we do?
Then when did you arrive?
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
dacă ..., atunci ...
Condition + result.
Dacă vrei, atunci mergem împreună.
If you want, then we’ll go together.
și atunci ...
Used to continue a story or to ask what follows.
A încercat din nou și atunci s-a oprit.
He tried again and then stopped.
atunci când ...
Formal/neutral way to say “when” in a specific time reference.
Atunci când a sunat telefonul, eram la masă.
When the phone rang, I was at the table.
Atunci nu știam nimic despre asta.
I didn’t know anything about that then.
Atunci nu știam nimic despre asta. - Simple time reference.
Dacă e prea târziu, atunci vin mâine.
If it’s too late, then I’ll come tomorrow.
Dacă e prea târziu, atunci vin mâine. - Conclusion after a condition.
Și atunci ce facem?
So what do we do then?
Și atunci ce facem? - Common spoken use in a question.
Common phrases built around atunci — worth learning as whole units.
lit. “then when”