#127 · Preposition · ADP
In Romanian, fără means “without”. It’s the #127 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
Preposition meaning "without". It usually marks the absence of a person, thing, quality, or action.
neutralused to show lack, absence, or the nonexistence of something
The coffee is without sugar.
He/She came without me.
I can't live without music.
An apartment without a balcony.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
fără + noun/pronoun
The most common use: it indicates absence or exclusion.
O cafea fără lapte, te rog.
A coffee without milk, please.
fără să + verb
Very common with actions; the verb usually follows in the subjunctive form introduced by să.
A plecat fără să spună nimic.
He/She left without saying anything.
fără + determiners / adjective phrases
It can introduce a noun phrase that describes something missing a feature or element.
O cameră fără ferestre.
A room without windows.
vs. nici fără / fără ... nici ...
"fără" simply means "without"; it is not a negative conjunction by itself.
Fără ajutor nu reușesc.
Without help, I can't manage.
vs. lipsit de
"lipsit de" is more formal and means "lacking, deprived of"; "fără" is more neutral and common.
O viață fără griji / o viață lipsită de griji.
A worry-free life / a life free from worries.
Am plecat fără umbrelă.
I left without an umbrella.
fără - Shows lack of an item.
Fără tine, nu merg.
Without you, I'm not going.
fără - Used with a person.
A intrat fără să bată la ușă.
He/She came in without knocking.
fără - Very common pattern with a verb in the subjunctive after "să".
Common phrases built around fără — worth learning as whole units.
lit. “without that”