Romanian Numbers - Distributive Numbers

Distributive Numbers

The distributive number is used to show how a larger quantity is divided into smaller, equal portions. These numbers are named using the cardinal number names and the word câte (or cîte, depending on the spelling convention), roughly meaning "each", but requiring a different word order. The following examples show some distributive numbers in various cases:

• Punem câte patru prăjituri pe fiecare farfurie. "We put four cakes on each plate."
• Copiii merg doi câte doi. "The children are walking two by two."
• Hai să ne despărţim în grupe de câte trei. "Let's split in groups of three each."
• Au fost expuse desenele a câte doi elevi din fiecare clasă. "The drawings of two students in each class were displayed."
• Am dat formularele câte unui copil din fiecare grupă. "I gave the forms to one child in each group." – Am dat formularele la cîte doi copii din fiecare grupă. "I gave the forms to two children in each group."