Câtorva

Câtorva is a Romanian quantifier and determiner that denotes an indefinite, small number and is roughly equivalent to "several" or "a few" in English. It is used with plural nouns to indicate a non-specific quantity greater than one.

Usage in sentences is straightforward: înaintea unui substantiv la plural, for example câtorva zile, câtorva oameni, câtorva idei. The form can appear at the beginning of a clause as well: Câtorva oameni au venit. It signals that the exact count is not given or not important for the context.

Relation to other forms: Romanian has other indefinites such as câteva (feminine), câțiva (masculine). Câtorva is typically used with plural nouns regardless of gender and is common in both spoken and written Romanian. In some contexts, speakers may choose câteva or câțiva depending on the gender of the noun, but câtorva remains a recognized option, often lending a slightly more formal or literary nuance.

Nuances and scope: câtorva implies a small, approximate number—not a large crowd—and leaves quantity deliberately vague. It is versatile across registers and can appear in descriptive, narrative, or argumentative text, as well as in everyday speech.

Etymology and history: câtorva is a fixed Romanian form related to the numeric system around cât, câte, and other indefinite numerals. It functions as a plural indefinitive determiner, signaling "a number of" without specifying the exact amount.