poporul

Poporul is a Romanian noun meaning “the people,” referring to the inhabitants or citizens of a country or nation. It is the definite form of popor, used in formal, historical, and political language to speak about a collective group. The term commonly appears in phrases such as poporul român or voința poporului, where it functions as the subject or object of discussion about national identity, rights, or sovereignty.

Etymology and form: Popor is derived from Latin populus, and Romanian attaches the definite article suffix -ul to yield poporul. The noun has a plural form popoare, with the definite plural popoarele. In everyday use, poporul stands as a high-register word that emphasizes a united or collective entity rather than individuals.

Usage and nuance: In modern Romanian, poporul is frequently found in political, legal, and cultural discourse. It can convey ideas of sovereignty, unity, and public will, and is often contrasted with institutions or elites (for example, the government or the state) in rhetorical contexts. While neutral in itself, the term may carry ideological connotations depending on the context and speaker.

Examples: Poporul român a ales în alegeri recente. Guvernul a cerut voința poporului în numele reformelor. In historical writing, poporul is used to discuss the collective experiences and movements of a nation, such as culture, language, and national identity.

See also: popor, popoare, poporul român.