Dragoste

Dragoste is the Romanian noun for love, used to describe a broad range of affectionate states. It covers romantic love between partners, familial love among relatives, and deep affection between friends. In everyday speech, dragoste expresses care, attachment, or longing, and it is a recurring theme in Romanian literature, music, and film.

Grammar and form: Dragoste is a feminine noun. The definite form is dragostea (the love). Like other core nouns in Romanian, it is used both as a general concept and in fixed expressions, such as dragoste adevărată (true love) or dragoste la prima vedere (love at first sight).

Usage and cultural context: In Romanian culture, dragoste is central to family life and social relationships. It appears in proverbs and folk songs, and it underpins modern narratives about romance, parenthood, and friendship. The term is commonly paired with adjectives to convey nuance, from gentle affection to intense passion.

Etymology and related terms: Dragoste is a native Romanian word with roots in the broader Latin heritage of the language. It exists alongside related concepts such as iubire, and while cognates exist in other Romance languages, dragoste retains a distinct Romanian form and usage.