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How do you use the suffix "-n"?

di hundido, 24 aprile 2014

Messaggi: 7

Lingua: English

hundido (Mostra il profilo) 24 aprile 2014 23:05:59

In Esperanto, I've noticed that nouns sometimes end in "n". I was wondering what the difference is between "mi" and "min", "vi" and "vin", "hundoj" and "hundojn", etc.. Also, does it only apply to nouns, and how do I use it? Answers are appreciated!

morfran (Mostra il profilo) 24 aprile 2014 23:32:16

hundido:In Esperanto, I've noticed that nouns sometimes end in "n". I was wondering what the difference is between "mi" and "min", "vi" and "vin", "hundoj" and "hundojn", etc.. Also, does it only apply to nouns, and how do I use it? Answers are appreciated!
The -n constitutes what’s usually called the accusative case in Esperanto; it’s how one distinguishes the subject of a sentence from the direct object. So the difference between mi and min, etc. is a little like the difference between I and me in English, but applies to all words in Esperanto, not just pronouns.

There’s a quick summary of how it works in English here, or, if you’re up to it, a detailed account all in Esperanto here.

dtgallagher (Mostra il profilo) 24 aprile 2014 23:33:58

the suffix is added to a noun (both the noun AND the ADJECTIVE/s that describe it have the "n" ) when it (the noun) is the direct object. The direct object is the thing that receives an action. For example, the dog bit the MAN, "man" being the direct object. An ending for direct objects is commonly used in other languages, but we only do this in English with I-me, he-him, she-her, and they-them. We change "I" to "me" when you are on the receiving end of any action, whether that action is "having" (he has "ME", not he has "I" ), seeing (I see THEM, not "they" ), or any other verb. This is the basic use of it. There are other (less common) situations that it pops up in(some are implied direct objects, like saluton), which Lernu can teach you I'm sure---------- http://en.lernu.net/lernado/gramatiko/demandoj/n.p...
I hoped this helps. If you need a little more explaining, I will be happy to help!
PS- i was typing this while another person apparently added an equally useful explanation, but I decided to post it anyways...

hundido (Mostra il profilo) 25 aprile 2014 01:47:11

Thanks for your answers! I understand it now.

Rikat (Mostra il profilo) 25 aprile 2014 13:25:01

Hundido, what textbook or online course are you using to learn Esperanto? Just curious.

Nile (Mostra il profilo) 25 aprile 2014 16:51:31

Just remember that after a preposition, you generally use the version without the -n.
"Mi faris gxin per ilo", not "Mi faris gxin per ilon"

hundido (Mostra il profilo) 25 aprile 2014 20:43:24

Rikat:Hundido, what textbook or online course are you using to learn Esperanto? Just curious.
I'm using the courses at lernu! (there's a courses button on the top menu).

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