Compare Megleno-Romanian brǫndză and Aromanian brãndzã. Often considered to be a substratum word. Other theories suggest, on the basis of what is used to make cheese, a derivation from Latin brandeum (originally meaning a linen covering, later a thin cloth for relic storage) through an intermediate Vulgar Latin root *brandea; for the development of the meaning, compare Spanish manteca, Portuguese manteiga (probably from Latin mantica, “sack”), Italian formaggio and French fromage (from Latin fōrmāticum from fōrma, “shape; mould”). Alternatively it was possibly borrowed from Albanian brëndës (“intestines”), originally referred to cheeses prepared in a sheep's stomach by reacting with the rennet inside; likewise, rânză (“tripe”) might have come from Albanian rrëndës (“rennet”). Displaced caș, which now refers to a specific type of cheese.
brânză f (plural brânzeturi)
The singular form is usually used for white cheeses, while cașcaval is used for yellow cheeses. The plural form is used for both.
| singular | plural | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| indefinite articulation | definite articulation | indefinite articulation | definite articulation | |
| nominative/accusative | (o) brânză | brânza | (niște) brânzeturi | brânzeturile |
| genitive/dative | (unei) brânze | brânzei | (unor) brânzeturi | brânzeturilor |