marks a definite direct object
Used especially with animate, specific, or identified objects; very common in everyday Romanian.
Văd pe Maria.
I see Maria.
Îl cunosc pe fratele tău.
I know your brother.
#15 · Preposition · ADP
In Romanian, pe means “marks a definite direct object”. It’s the #15 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
Very common Romanian preposition with several main jobs: it marks definite direct objects in some cases, introduces the object of a verb in certain constructions, and is also used for location on a surface, path, and time expressions.
neutralUsed especially with animate, specific, or identified objects; very common in everyday Romanian.
I see Maria.
I know your brother.
Used for contact with a surface, movement over/along something, or a point/location in space or time.
The book is on the table.
I'm walking along the street.
We'll meet on June 5th.
Appears in some common constructions where English uses different grammar.
He is wanted by the police.
It is based on experience.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 99% of everyday use — learn these first.
pe + direct object
Common before a specific person, animal, or named entity that functions as direct object.
Te caută pe tine.
They are looking for you.
pe + surface / route / area
Used for contact, movement, or location over a surface or along a line.
A pus cheia pe raft.
He put the key on the shelf.
pe + time/date expressions
Can introduce certain dates or time points in ordinary usage.
Programarea e pe luni.
The appointment is on Monday.
vs. la
la usually means 'to/at', while pe often means 'on/onto/along' or marks a direct object.
Merg la școală, apoi pe jos.
I go to school, then on foot.
vs. în
în means 'in/inside'; pe means 'on the surface' or has grammatical marking uses.
În cutie, nu pe cutie.
In the box, not on the box.
vs. de
de often links possession, origin, or various complements; pe is not interchangeable and often marks definite objects or surface/location.
Îl știu pe colegul meu.
I know my colleague.
L-am întâlnit pe Andrei ieri.
I met Andrei yesterday.
pe + definite direct object with a person/name - Marks the direct object because it is a specific person.
Carte a rămas pe birou.
The book stayed on the desk.
location on a surface - Shows physical position on top of something.
Am mers pe jos până în centru.
We walked to the center.
set expression with pe - Used in a fixed expression meaning 'on foot'.