Etymologically
Log in

dar

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the Romanian word dar

dar1 but

Confidence
Disputed
Formation
Compound
First attested
c. 1500–1520 Psaltirea Hurmuzaki
Ultimate origins
Proto-Italic *dēRomanian iară
Etymology tree of dar1
inherited borrowed derived
Latin dē
Aromanian deadun
Aromanian di
French de
Italian da
Italian di
Italian dove
Romanian de
Romanian dar
Spanish de
From the same root · dar1
Latin deante ← dē
Latin dēforīs ← dē
Latin dehinc ← dē
Latin deinde ← dē
Latin deinter ← dē
Latin deintrō ← dē
Latin dēintus ← dē
Latin dēlīrō ← dē
Latin dēmum ← dē
Latin dēnique ← dē
Latin dēnuō ← dē
Latin dēretrō ← dē
Latin dēsubtus ← dē
Latin dēsuper ← dē
Latin dēsūrsum ← dē
Latin dēterior ← dē
Latin dēviō ← dē
Latin dorsum ← dē
Latin duodēvīgintī ← dē
Latin ūndēvīgintī ← dē
French cul-de-sac ← de
French davantage ← de
French debout ← de
French devant ← de
French dinde ← de
Italian dappertutto ← da
Italian davvero ← da
Italian dipoi ← di
Romanian dacă ← de
Romanian dânsul ← de
See all derived words →

Pronunciation

Forms

dar (conjunction and adverb), older dară, colloquial da, rare old deară.[2][3] The Bucharest Bible of 1688 still has the full form dară: „Priceapeți dară acestea cei ce uitați pre D-zeu” “Understand these things, then, you who forget God” (Psalm 49:23).[4]

Etymology

The word for “but” is of uncertain origin, and the dictionaries disagree about it.[2][5][3] Ciorănescu and Wiktionary think it probably a compound from Romanian de + iară, the preposition with the older form of iar “again, and”.[5][1] DELR lists this view, explaining ⟨ară⟩ as a reflex of Latin eā hōrā (“at that hour”), which would account for the conclusive sense “so, then” common in the old language.[2]

DELR's first possibility is a different one: Graur took ⟨dar⟩ to be the same word as doară, a modal and interrogative adverb, since in the oldest texts ⟨dară⟩ occurs mostly in questions.[2] A third view, held by Crețu, Tiktin and Iordan, starts from a form ⟨deară⟩ and the Latin phrase dē (“from”) vērō (“truly; but”).[5][2] DELR objects that ⟨deară⟩ is recorded only from the 19th century.[2] Pușcariu and the REW proposed dē eā rē (“from this thing”), which DELR finds hard to reconcile with the form.[5][2][6] Scriban compared Serbo-Croatian dar, but this is a Chakavian form of western Croatia, so DELR finds the link unlikely.[7][2] The DA's explanation from da and ⟨ară⟩ fails, according to DELR, because ⟨da⟩ appears much later than ⟨dară⟩.[8][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first records are in the Psaltirea Hurmuzaki of the early 16th century, where dară introduces questions in the sense “then, can it be that”.[2][9] Tiktin's first record is a Gospel text of 1551–1553 (Matthew 19:25).[4]

Semantic evolution

In Coresi's prints of 1567–1568 the word already marks contrast and draws conclusions, the two main functions it has kept.[2] The primary form was dară; its final -ă was lost after 1700, as in the other conjunctions and adverbs in -ă (doară, iară, măcară).[2] The colloquial variant da is late and was probably helped by the use of dar as an adverb of affirmation, which mixed it up with the affirmative da “yes”.[2][5] That affirmative use, dar “yes”, is recorded from 1794, and DLRLC quotes it from Creangă and Alecsandri.[2][10] The compound darămite “let alone” joins dară with the ending of pasămite.[2]

Timeline

  • c. 1500-1520 – dară in questions in the Psaltirea Hurmuzaki, the first record.[2][9]
  • 1551–1553 – dar in a Gospel text (Matthew 19:25).[4]
  • 1567–1568 – adversative and conclusive uses in a Coresi print.[2]
  • 1688 – dară “then” in the Bucharest Bible.[4]
  • after 1700 – the final -ă drops, giving dar.[2]
  • 1794 – first record of dar “yes”.[2]
  • 1835 – darămite “let alone” in Gorjan.[2]
  • 19th century – the variant deară.[2]

Meanings

Conjunction

  1. but, however: marks a contrast with what was said before: E mic, dar e puternic.[3][11]
  2. But, marking an obstacle: Aș veni, dar n-am timp.[3]
  3. Let alone, still more: adds a stronger case after a weaker one.[3][2]
  4. So, therefore, in conclusions, and with an imperative to show impatience or encouragement.[3]
  5. Introduces a question: Dar unde ai fost?[3]
  6. Before a repeated word, it stresses it, and it also expresses surprise.[3]

Adverb

  1. (dated, regional) Yes, so it is.[3][10]
  2. (regional) Of course, certainly, in answers.[3][2]

Word family

  • darămite

dar2 gift

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 1500–1520 Psaltirea Hurmuzaki
Borrowed from
Old Church Slavonic даръ
Ultimate origin
Proto-Slavic *darъ
Etymology tree of dar2
inherited borrowed derived
Old Church Slavonic даръ (darŭ)
Romanian dar

Pronunciation

Forms

dar n (plural daruri)[1]

Etymology

The word for “gift” is borrowed from Old Church Slavonic даръ (darŭ, “gift”), a noun formed on дати (dati, “to give”).[2][5][11][3] The Slavonic word continues Proto-Slavic *darъ (“gift”), which is related to Ancient Greek δῶρον (dôron, “gift”).[1][12] Cihac had already given the Slavonic source.[13] Its relatives in the modern Slavic languages include Bulgarian дар (dar) and Russian дар (dar).[14][5]

The word also exists as Megleno-Romanian dar, with the verb dăruies.[15][16] Capidan takes the Megleno-Romanian word from Bulgarian.[16] The Romanian verb dărui “to give as a gift” is a separate borrowing, from Old Church Slavonic даровати (darovati), and DELR takes darnic “generous” from Old Church Slavonic as well.[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is in the Psaltirea Hurmuzaki of the early 16th century.[2] The psalter has the plural daruri “gifts” in Psalm 44 and dar in Psalms 60 and 71.[17][18]

Semantic evolution

Besides a present given freely, the word meant a reward and an offering in the old language.[2][8] In church use it came to mean divine grace, and darul preoției is the power of the priesthood.[8][3] A figurative sense is “natural gift, talent”.[2][3] Ironically, darul beției is “the gift of drunkenness”, a weakness for drink.[3][7]

The old phrase în dar “as a gift” also meant “in vain”, the sense now carried by degeaba and în zadar.[4][5] Ciorănescu compares Spanish de balde beside en balde.[5] Tiktin quotes the 1688 Bible: „Să nu-mi slujești în dar” “that you should not serve me for nothing” (Genesis 29:15).[4]

Timeline

  • c. 1500-1520 – first record, in the Psaltirea Hurmuzaki.[2][17]
  • 1559–1560 – the verb dărui in the Codex Bratul.[2]
  • c. 1563-1583 – dar in the Codicele Voronețean.[11]
  • 1620 – darnic “generous” in Moxa's chronicle.[2]
  • 1688 – în dar “for nothing” in the Bucharest Bible.[4]
  • 1691–1697 – dărnicie “generosity” in Corbea's dictionary.[2]
  • 1698 – the diminutive dărișor in Cantemir.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A gift, present: something given freely, as a sign of friendship or as help.[3][11]
  2. (Christianity) An offering: sfintele daruri the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist.[3]
  3. A natural gift, talent, aptitude: are darul vorbirii “he has the gift of speech”.[3]
  4. A benefit, an advantage.[3]
  5. (Christianity) Divine grace, the help God gives.[3]

Word family

  • darnic
  • dărui
  • dăruitor
  • dărnicie
  • dărișor
  • dăruială
  • nedarnic

Usage notes

Proverbs with the noun include calul de dar nu se caută pe dinți “don't look a gift horse in the mouth” and dar din dar se face rai “gift after gift makes paradise”.[4] The phrases de dar and în dar mean “free, for nothing”.[3] Scriban condemned nu numai…, dar și “not only…, but also” as modelled on French and preferred nu numai…, ci și.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Academia Română, Institutul de Lingvistică „Iorgu Iordan – Al. Rosetti” (2011–), Dicționarul etimologic al limbii române (DELR), vol. I: A–B (2011), vol. II: C (2015–2018), București: Editura Academiei Române; continued online at delr.lingv.ro, p. s.v. dar
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t DEX (2009), Dicționarul explicativ al limbii române [Explanatory dictionary of the Romanian language], Bucharest: Editura Univers Enciclopedic, p. 1, 271
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Tiktin, Hariton (2000–2005), Rumänisch-deutsches Wörterbuch, 3rd ed., revised by Paul Miron and Elsa Lüder, 3 vols., Cluj-Napoca: Clusium, p. s.v. dar
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ciorănescu, Alexandru (1958–1966), Diccionario etimológico rumano, La Laguna: Universidad de La Laguna (Romanian ed.: Dicționarul etimologic al limbii române, București: Saeculum, 2001), p. s.v. dar
  6. ^ Meyer-Lübke, Wilhelm (1935), Romanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, 3rd ed., Heidelberg: Winter, p. 2513
  7. ^ a b c Scriban, August (1939), Dicționaru limbii românești (etimologii, înțelesuri, exemple, citațiuni, arhaizme, neologizme, provincializme), Iași: Presa Bună, p. 1, 388
  8. ^ a b c Academia Română (1913–1949), Dicționarul limbii române (DA), ed. Sextil Pușcariu, tom I (A–B, C, D–De) and tom II (F–I, J–Lojniță), București: Socec / Universul / Monitorul Oficial și Imprimeriile Statului; page scans at cflr-scans.solirom.ro, p. s.v. dar
  9. ^ a b Gînsac, Ana-Maria; Ungureanu, Mădălina; Moruz, Alexandru et al., roPsalt: Re-evaluating the Sixteenth Century Romanian Psalters (aligned corpus), Iași: Universitatea „Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, https://scriptadacoromanica.ro, p. Ps 49:14
  10. ^ a b Macrea, Dimitrie; Petrovici, Emil (coord.) (1955–1957), Dicționarul limbii romîne literare contemporane, 4 vols., București: Editura Academiei Republicii Populare Romîne, p. 2, 11
  11. ^ a b c d Academia Română, Institutul de Lingvistică „Iorgu Iordan – Al. Rosetti” (2010), Micul dicționar academic, 2nd ed., 4 vols., București: Univers Enciclopedic Gold, p. 1, 600
  12. ^ Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress
  13. ^ Cihac, A. de (1879), Dictionnaire d'étymologie daco-romane II: Éléments slaves, magyars, turcs, grecs-moderne et albanais, Frankfurt am Main, p. 90
  14. ^ Georgiev, Vladimir I. et al. (eds.) (1971–), Bălgarski etimologičen rečnik, Sofija: Izdatelstvo na Bălgarskata akademija na naukite, p. 1, 319
  15. ^ Saramandu, Nicolae (coord.) et al. (2010–), Dicționarul dialectului meglenoromân, general și etimologic, fascicles in Fonetică și dialectologie XXIX–, p. 171
  16. ^ a b Capidan, Theodor (1935), Meglenoromânii III: Dicționar meglenoromân, București: Academia Română, p. 104
  17. ^ a b Gînsac, Ana-Maria; Ungureanu, Mădălina; Moruz, Alexandru et al., roPsalt: Re-evaluating the Sixteenth Century Romanian Psalters (aligned corpus), Iași: Universitatea „Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, https://scriptadacoromanica.ro, p. Ps 44:14
  18. ^ Gînsac, Ana-Maria; Ungureanu, Mădălina; Moruz, Alexandru et al., roPsalt: Re-evaluating the Sixteenth Century Romanian Psalters (aligned corpus), Iași: Universitatea „Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, https://scriptadacoromanica.ro, p. Ps 71:10

Related etymologies

  • prea · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • înșela · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • pară · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • somn · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • veste · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • coș · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • lin · also from Old Church Slavonic
  • râs · also from Old Church Slavonic
Cite this entry

“Dar.” Etymologically, 11 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/ro/dar. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·