Primii

Primii is a Romanian word that serves as the masculine plural form of the adjective prim, meaning “the first.” It is used as an ordinal determiner before masculine plural nouns to indicate the first members of a group, and it can also function as a substantive meaning “the first ones.”

In standard use, primii precede a masculine plural noun, as in primii oameni (the first people) or primii ani ai vieții (the early years of life). The feminine plural form is primele, while the singular forms are primul (masculine) and prima (feminine). The root prim- is of Latin origin, from primus, and has cognates in other Romance languages, such as Italian primi.

Primii can also appear as a standalone noun phrase meaning “the first ones” in contexts such as reports or narratives: Primii au ajuns, meaning “The first ones have arrived.” This usage is more common in spoken language or in concise, topical writing and tends to rely on context to convey the specific group being referenced.

Origin and related forms: The word derives from Latin primus and shares its basic meaning with related words in Romance languages. Related Romanian forms include primul, prima, and primele, which cover masculine singular, feminine singular, and feminine or masculine plural definite uses, respectively. Primii remains primarily a descriptive or nominative element of a larger noun phrase, rather than a standalone lexical item with a separate meaning.

In summary, primii marks the first members of a masculine plural group in Romanian and can function as a noun in contexts emphasizing the “first ones.”