When learning Romanian, one might come across words that seem similar but are used in different contexts. Two such words are înalt and înălțime. Understanding the nuances between these words is crucial for mastering the language. This article aims to clarify these terms, offering definitions, explanations, and example sentences to help English speakers grasp their proper usage.

Înalt

Înalt is an adjective that translates to “tall” in English. It is used to describe the height of a person or object. When you want to comment on someone’s physical stature or the height of a building, înalt is the word you would use.

Înalt – Tall
El este foarte înalt pentru vârsta lui.

Here, înalt is used to describe a person who is tall for their age.

Înălțime

Înălțime is a noun and translates to “height” in English. It refers to the measurement of how tall someone or something is. When discussing measurements or the concept of height in general, înălțime is appropriate.

Înălțime – Height
Care este înălțimea ta?

In this example, the word înălțime is used to ask someone about their height.

Understanding the Differences

The primary difference between înalt and înălțime lies in their grammatical roles and the context in which they are used. Înalt is an adjective and is used to describe the attribute of being tall, while înălțime is a noun used to denote the measurement of height.

Contextual Usage

To further understand these words, let’s look at more examples in different contexts.

Clădire – Building
Această clădire este foarte înaltă.

Here, înaltă (the feminine form of înalt) is used to describe a building, indicating that it is tall.

Metri – Meters
Turnul are o înălțime de 100 de metri.

In this sentence, înălțime is used to specify the height of a tower in meters.

Additional Vocabulary

To help you better understand and use these words, here are some additional related terms:

Scund – Short
Fratele meu este foarte scund.

Lungime – Length
Lungimea acestei camere este de 5 metri.

Greutate – Weight
Care este greutatea ta?

Common Mistakes

One common mistake learners make is confusing the usage of înalt and înălțime due to their similar meanings. Remember that înalt is used as an adjective to describe something or someone, while înălțime is a noun referring to the measurement of height.

Incorrect: *El are o înalt de doi metri.*
Correct: El are o înălțime de doi metri.

Incorrect: *Această clădire este înălțime.*
Correct: Această clădire este înaltă.

Exercises for Practice

To solidify your understanding, try translating the following sentences from English to Romanian, paying attention to the correct usage of înalt and înălțime:

1. She is very tall for her age.
2. What is the height of this building?
3. My brother is shorter than me.
4. The length of this table is two meters.
5. The tower has a height of fifty meters.

Answers:
1. Ea este foarte înaltă pentru vârsta ei.
2. Care este înălțimea acestei clădiri?
3. Fratele meu este mai scund decât mine.
4. Lungimea acestei mese este de doi metri.
5. Turnul are o înălțime de cincizeci de metri.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between înalt and înălțime is essential for effective communication in Romanian. Remember that înalt is an adjective describing the attribute of being tall, while înălțime is a noun referring to the measurement of height. By understanding their proper usage and practicing with examples, you can enhance your Romanian language skills and avoid common mistakes. Happy learning!