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atât

Atât is a Romanian quantifier and adverb used to express extent or quantity. It roughly means “that much” or “so much” and can function in several grammatical roles: as a determiner before a noun, as a pronoun referring to an amount, and as part of degree constructions with adjectives or verbs.

Usage and constructions

- As a degree intensifier, often with de to form a scale: “atât de frumos” (so beautiful), “atât

- With negation to limit quantity: “Nu am atât timp” (I don’t have that much time).

- In correlative comparisons: “Am muncit atât cât am putut” (I worked as much as I could).

- In phrases meaning “more than that”: “Nu vreau mai mult decât atât” (I don’t want more than

- In broader use, it can accompany nouns and adjectives to indicate a non-specified but substantial amount

Etymology and relation

Atât derives from a Proto-Romance root linked to quantity and extent, with cognates in related Romance languages

Notes

The word is common in everyday Romanian, appearing in spoken and written language across registers. Its

de
greu”
(so
hard).
The
phrase
“atât
de
…
încât”
introduces
a
consequence
or
result:
“Este
atât
de
frumos
încât
toți
se
opresc
să
privescă.”
that).
or
degree,
with
the
precise
form
adapting
to
the
grammatical
context
of
what
it
modifies.
reflecting
the
sense
of
“that
much.”
It
forms
part
of
a
family
of
Romanian
quantifiers
and
participates
in
several
fixed
constructions
that
express
degree
and
limit.
core
function
is
to
convey
a
sense
of
magnitude
without
giving
an
exact
number,
making
it
a
versatile
tool
for
expressing
emphasis,
limits,
and
comparisons.