domnul

Domnul is a Romanian honorific and form of address for adult men, equivalent to “Mr.” or “sir.” It derives from the Latin dominus meaning “lord” and entered Romanian through Latin and early usage. In contemporary Romanian it is placed before a surname or full name (Domnul Ionescu) to convey respect, and spoken as Domnule in direct address. In writing, the abbreviation Dl. is common, but Domnul is still used in formal prose and headlines.

Historically, domnul carried noble connotations. In the medieval and early modern principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, domnitor was the title of the ruler; domnul referred to male lords and masters. Rulers were often styled Domnul in official acts, while domnitor designated the sovereign role.

Today, Domnul remains the standard formal address in Romania and Moldova, though everyday speech often uses first names or surnames without the title. The term also appears in occupational phrases such as Domnul Doctor or Domnul Profesor, preserving the honorific function with professional titles. See also: domnitor, doamnă, doamna.