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How do I say "one" when asking for something?

kelle poolt Foreigner, 1. juuli 2014

Postitused: 4

Keel: English

Foreigner (Näita profiili) 1. juuli 2014 20:16.40

If I am asking someone for something, and I want to say "Can I have one," what word should I use for "one?" Should I say, "Cxu mi povas havi unu?"

Mustelvulpo (Näita profiili) 1. juuli 2014 20:42.41

Foreigner:If I am asking someone for something, and I want to say "Can I have one," what word should I use for "one?" Should I say, "Cxu mi povas havi unu?"
"Unu" should be used for "one." I would say "Ĉu mi povas preni unu?" or "Ĉu vi donus unu al mi?" depending on the circumstance rather than using "havi" but your sentence is clear enough. But the way we use "one" in English doesn't always translate as "unu." For instance "I like that one" would translate as "Mi ŝatas tiun" or " Tiu plaĉas al mi."

nornen (Näita profiili) 1. juuli 2014 20:43.10

--hinfällig--

sudanglo (Näita profiili) 2. juuli 2014 11:11.01

If you mean one as opposed to two or three, then the 'unu' is essential.

However, whilst in English Can I have? sounds weird, or at least incomplete (something a foreigner might say), Ĉu mi povas havi/preni? would be acceptable in Esperanto, particularly if, in the circumstances, one would be the normal quantity.

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