principiul

Principiul is the Romanian noun meaning “the principle” or “principle.” It is the definite form of principiu and is used to denote a fundamental rule, law, or guiding idea across many fields. The word derives from Latin principium and is a common part of the standard Romanian lexicon for describing foundational concepts in philosophy, science, law, ethics, and everyday discourse.

Grammatical notes: Principiul is masculine and singular. The indefinite singular is principiu; the definite singular is principiul. The indefinite plural is principii; the definite plural is principiile. In phrases, it is typically used as principiul plus a further noun or concept, for example principiul conservării (the principle of conservation) or principiul totului, depending on the disciplinary context. In philosophy and science, principii or principiile may denote axioms or general laws; in legal or ethical writing it can introduce normative rules that guide behavior or judgment.

Usage and scope: In Romanian, Principiul can appear as a general term or as a label in textbooks, encyclopedias, and scholarly works to identify a foundational rule. It is distinct from other related forms such as principiu (the base noun) and principii (principles in the plural). While largely generic, the term is often complemented by a specific descriptor to name particular principles in a given field, such as the principle of causality, the principle of equivalence, or the principle of fair play, adapted to Romanian linguistic usage.