as, like, as if
used to compare roles, manner, or appearance
Vorbește ca un profesor.
He speaks like a teacher.
Se poartă ca și cum n-ar ști nimic.
He acts as if he knew nothing.
#26 · Adverb · ADV
In Romanian, ca means “as, like, as if”. It’s the #26 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 Romanian adverb with several core uses: it can mark purpose, manner, comparison, or approximate quantity/time in fixed patterns. Because it is highly versatile, its meaning depends strongly on context.
neutralused to compare roles, manner, or appearance
He speaks like a teacher.
He acts as if he knew nothing.
often appears in expressions of extent or result
He laughed to the point of tears.
He was too tired to go on.
used with purpose in fixed or semi-fixed patterns
I came to help you.
Tell him not to be late.
used in informal or spoken estimates
There are about ten people in the room.
We’ll stay for about a quarter of an hour.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
ca + noun phrase
comparison or role
lucrează ca medic
he works as a doctor
ca să + verb
purpose
am venit ca să te văd
I came to see you
ca și cum + clause
comparison with an unreal or hypothetical situation
mă privește ca și cum m-ar cunoaște
he looks at me as if he knew me
ca + numeral / measure
approximation
sunt ca zece persoane
there are about ten people
A vorbit ca un adevărat lider.
He spoke like a real leader.
ca - comparison
Am venit ca să discutăm problema.
I came so that we could discuss the problem.
ca - purpose
Sunt ca douăzeci de minute până acolo.
It’s about twenty minutes to get there.
ca - approximation
Common phrases built around ca — worth learning as whole units.
lit. “as that”