#97 · Adverb · ADV
In Romanian, prea means “too; excessively”. It’s the #97 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
Adverb meaning “too” or “too much,” used to show excess or to weaken an adjective/adverb before it.
neutralUsed before adjectives, adverbs, and sometimes nouns to show that something goes beyond a normal or desirable limit.
It’s too hot today.
He speaks too fast.
It’s too big for me.
In some everyday speech, especially with intensifying adjectives, it can sound like “very/quite,” though “too” is the core meaning.
I’m not very sure.
It doesn’t seem too hard to me.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
prea + adjective
Marks excess or a limit being exceeded.
Camera este prea mică.
The room is too small.
nu prea + verb/adjective
Often means “not really” or “not very.”
Nu prea înțeleg.
I don’t really understand.
prea + mult/puțin/tare/repede
Common with degree words.
Vorbește prea tare.
He speaks too loudly.
Ai pus prea mult zahăr în ceai.
You put too much sugar in the tea.
prea - Shows excess before a quantity expression.
Filmul a fost prea lung pentru mine.
The movie was too long for me.
prea - Common before an adjective.
Nu e prea târziu să plecăm.
It’s not too late to leave.
prea - Very common in negative statements.
Common phrases built around prea — worth learning as whole units.
lit. “not too”