laptele

Laptele is the definite form of the Romanian noun lapte, meaning milk. Lapte refers to the white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals and used as a beverage or in cooking. The noun is masculine, and in standard Romanian the definite article is attached to the end of the word, so lapte becomes laptele for the singular definite form. This form is used when talking about milk as a known item or in a specific context, such as in the kitchen or a store.

In everyday language, lapte is used with measures or phrases that indicate quantity, for example un litru de lapte (a liter of milk) or o cană de lapte (a cup of milk). The definite form laptele is common when referencing milk that is already identified or being discussed, as in Laptele din frigider este stricăt sau Laptele de vacă este cel mai des folosit în România. Adjective can modify laptele in phrases like laptele proaspăt (the fresh milk) or laptele de vacă / laptele de capră (cow’s milk / goat’s milk).

Etymology and cognates: lapte derives from Latin lactem, part of the same family as Italian latte, French lait, Spanish leche, and Portuguese leite. The Romanian form has developed under the influence of Latin roots typical for Romance languages, with the definite article -le appended to produce laptele.

See also: Romanian grammar of definite articles; dairy terminology in Romanian; related terms for milk products and beverages.