# cel

**Part of speech:** DET  
**Frequency rank:** #67 most common Romanian word  
**Language:** Romanian

Short-form Romanian determiner/article used to mark the definite, comparative, or superlative idea in phrases like cel mai bun, and also in pronominal forms such as cel care. It often corresponds to English "the", "the one", or is part of comparative/superlative structures.

## Meanings

- **the; the one; used in definite reference** — Often appears before adjectives, relative clauses, or nouns to form a more specific reference.
- **the ...-er / the most ...; comparative and superlative marker** — Very common with adjectives: cel mai + adjective = "the most ..." or "the ...-est".
- **that one; this one; he / she / they, when referring back clearly** — Can refer back to a previously mentioned noun or person, especially in careful or formal phrasing.

## Example sentences

- Alege-l pe cel bun. — _Choose the good one._
- Ea este cea mai bună din clasă. — _She is the best in the class._
- Cel care ajunge primul primește premiul. — _Whoever arrives first gets the prize._
- Am cumpărat cel mai ieftin bilet. — _I bought the cheapest ticket._

## Forms

cel, cea, cele, cei, celor, celui, celei

## Nearby words by frequency

- [al](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/al)
- [sta](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/sta)
- [cine](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/cine)
- [chiar](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/chiar)
- [zi](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/zi)
- [foarte](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/foarte)
- [acolo](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/acolo)
- [despre](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/despre)
- [uita](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/uita)
- [sau](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/sau)
- [ruga](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/ruga)
- [nimic](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/nimic)

---
Source: [https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/cel](https://mostspoken.com/words/ro/cel) — MostSpoken Romanian frequency dictionary.