decât

Romanian

Etymology

de (“of”) +‎ cât (“how much”). First attested in c. 1574.[1]

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /deˈkɨt/

Adverb

decât

  1. than
    Am văzut ieri un film mai interesant decât acesta.
    I saw a movie more interesting than this one yesterday.
    Radu este mai mare decât mine.
    Radu is older than me.
  2. (in negative constructions) only, nothing but
    Nu aduci decât necazuri.
    You only bring trouble.

Usage notes

In the "only" sense, it is also used in positive constructions (aduci decât necazuri ― same meaning as above), a common solecism associated with southern speakers.[2]

Synonyms

Derived terms
  • avea decât

Conjunction

decât

  1. than
  2. (in negative constructions) only, nothing but
  3. (obsolete or regional) Synonym of însă (“but”)
  4. (with să) rather than, instead of
  5. (with că, colloquial) it’s just that…

Usage notes

See above.

References
  1. decât in DEX online - Dicționare ale limbii române (Dictionaries of the Romanian language)
  2. Rodica Zafiu (2011), “Decât o negație”, in România Literară‎, issue 14
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