When learning Romanian, you will often encounter the verbs a plăti and a achita. Both of these verbs translate to “to pay” in English, but they have distinct nuances and uses. This article will explore the differences between these verbs, provide examples, and help you understand when to use each one appropriately.

Definitions and Usage

A plăti

The verb a plăti means “to pay” in a general sense. It is used when referring to the act of giving money in exchange for goods or services. This verb is commonly used in everyday transactions.

Trebuie să plătesc factura de electricitate.

“I need to pay the electricity bill.”

A achita

The verb a achita also means “to pay,” but it carries the additional nuance of “settling” or “discharging” a debt or obligation. It is often used in more formal or specific contexts, such as when settling a bill or clearing a debt.

Am achitat toate datoriile către furnizor.

“I have settled all the debts with the supplier.”

Vocabulary for Better Understanding

Factura

Factura means “bill” or “invoice.” It is a document that specifies the amount of money owed for goods or services provided.

Am primit factura pentru serviciile de internet.

“I received the bill for the internet services.”

Datorie

Datorie means “debt.” It refers to the amount of money that one person or organization owes to another.

A acumulat o datorie mare la bancă.

“He has accumulated a large debt at the bank.”

Furnizor

Furnizor means “supplier.” It refers to a person or company that provides goods or services to another entity.

Furnizorul a trimis produsele la timp.

“The supplier sent the products on time.”

Serviciu

Serviciu means “service.” It refers to the work performed by someone for the benefit of another person or organization.

Calitatea serviciului a fost excelentă.

“The quality of the service was excellent.”

Obligație

Obligație means “obligation.” It refers to a duty or commitment to do something, typically financial.

Am o obligație să plătesc chiria la timp.

“I have an obligation to pay the rent on time.”

Sumă

Sumă means “amount.” It refers to a quantity of money.

Trebuie să plătesc o sumă mare pentru reparații.

“I need to pay a large amount for repairs.”

Contextual Differences

Understanding the context in which to use a plăti and a achita is crucial for sounding natural in Romanian.

Everyday Transactions

In everyday transactions, such as buying groceries, paying for a meal, or purchasing a ticket, a plăti is the most commonly used verb. It is straightforward and lacks the formality or specificity that a achita carries.

Am plătit pentru cumpărături cu cardul de credit.

“I paid for the groceries with a credit card.”

Settling Debts and Formal Payments

When it comes to settling debts, clearing bills, or making formal payments, a achita is more appropriate. This verb implies that you are fulfilling an obligation or clearing an outstanding amount.

A achitat ultima rată a împrumutului.

“He settled the last installment of the loan.”

Common Phrases and Expressions

Here are some common phrases and expressions that use a plăti and a achita:

A plăti în numerar

A plăti în numerar means “to pay in cash.” This phrase is used when specifying the method of payment.

Pot să plătesc în numerar pentru această achiziție?

“Can I pay in cash for this purchase?”

A achita facturile

A achita facturile means “to settle the bills.” It is commonly used when referring to paying off multiple bills or invoices.

Este timpul să achităm facturile lunare.

“It’s time to settle the monthly bills.”

A plăti în avans

A plăti în avans means “to pay in advance.” This phrase is used when payment is made before the goods or services are received.

Trebuie să plătim în avans pentru rezervare.

“We need to pay in advance for the reservation.”

A achita datoriile

A achita datoriile means “to settle the debts.” This phrase is used when referring to paying off debts completely.

A reușit să achite datoriile după câțiva ani de economii.

“He managed to settle the debts after several years of saving.”

Nuances in Formality and Context

While both verbs can often be used interchangeably, understanding the subtle differences in formality and context will help you choose the right verb.

A plăti is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation. It is the go-to verb for most situations where money is exchanged.

A achita is slightly more formal and is often used in contexts involving obligations, debts, or formal settlements. It gives a sense of finality and resolution to the payment.

Examples to Illustrate the Difference

To better illustrate the difference, let’s look at a few more examples:

Am plătit pentru biletele de cinema.

“I paid for the movie tickets.”

In this example, a plăti is used because it is a straightforward transaction.

A achitat integral taxa de școlarizare.

“He settled the tuition fee in full.”

Here, a achita is used because it implies fulfilling an obligation completely.

Practice Exercises

To help solidify your understanding, here are some practice exercises. Try to fill in the blanks with either a plăti or a achita.

1. Trebuie să ____ factura de telefon.
2. A ____ toate taxele înainte de termen.
3. Am ____ pentru cursul de română.
4. A ____ datoria la bancă.
5. Am decis să ____ în numerar.

Answers:
1. plătesc
2. achitat
3. plătit
4. achitat
5. plătesc

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between a plăti and a achita will help you navigate financial transactions in Romanian more effectively. While both verbs mean “to pay,” a plăti is used for general, everyday payments, and a achita is used for settling debts and formal payments. By paying attention to context and formality, you can choose the appropriate verb and sound more natural in your conversations.

Keep practicing and incorporating these verbs into your vocabulary, and you’ll find that your comprehension and fluency in Romanian will improve significantly. Happy learning!