Propriu

Propriu is a Romanian adjective and adverb meaning one’s own, belonging to oneself, or proper in the sense of inherent or appropriate. It is used to express possession or a sense of authenticity, and can refer to both tangible things and abstract qualities. Etymologically, propriu derives from Latin proprius, passing into Romanian through historical stages of the language.

In Romanian, propriu is an inflected word that agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. The typical masculine singular form is propriu, the feminine singular form is proprie, and the plural forms are proprii for both masculine and feminine nouns. As an adverb, propriu can appear in phrases that emphasize ownership or suitability, often in combination with prepositions or possessive constructions.

Common uses of propriu include phrases such as casă proprie (one’s own house), teren propriu (private or own land), and obiect propriu (own object). It can also appear in expressions that stress authenticity or fit, such as ceva făcut propriu or acțiune în propriul interes, depending on context. The word is widely employed across everyday speech and formal writing, including legal, literary, and journalistic registers, to distinguish what belongs to the speaker or subject from what belongs to others.

See also: proprietate, proprietar, propriu-zis, Latin proprius.