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Kwishura

Accusative pronouns

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Ubutumwa 4

ururimi: English

Alkanadi (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 26 Nzero 2015 09:53:09

Are these sentences the same? If so, which style is preferable?

Diru al mi
Diru min

Helpu al mi
Helpu min

Lasu al mi
Lasu min

johmue (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 26 Nzero 2015 10:30:20

Alkanadi:Are these sentences the same? If so, which style is preferable?

Diru al mi
Diru min
I'd prefer "diru al mi". The direct object of "diri" is that what you say, not whom you tell it to.
Helpu al mi
Helpu min
"Helpu min" is vastly used, so I prefer that one. "Helpu al mi" is also ok, I think.
Lasu al mi
Lasu min
That's two different meanings.

"Lasu min ..." would translate to english "Let me ..." in the sense of "Let my people go." or "Let (leave) me alone."

"Lasu al mi (ion)" translates to "Leave (something) to me". "Prenu du bulkojn kaj lasu unu al mi." (Take three buns but leave one to me.)

sudanglo (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 26 Nzero 2015 12:49:21

Without checking in the Tekstaro I would say that the direct object of diri is always what is said, and never the person to which something is said.

In other words 'Tell me' is never 'diru min' but always 'diru al mi'.

Both helpu al mi and helpu min are used and often there is not much difference. Perhaps 'helpi al' can be more general, more focused on the helping rather than in what respect the help is given. But there doesn't seem to be much difference between:

Ĉu vi ne volas helpi al mi porti la valizon
Ĉu vi ne volas helpi min porti la valizon.

As regards 'lasi', mi lasos al aliaj ekspliki la diferencon

Tempodivalse (Kwerekana umwidondoro) 26 Nzero 2015 23:31:44

I not infrequently see "Diru min", but this is normally in more colloquial constructions like "Diru min, kiam vi legis tiun libron?" where there isn't a (obvious) direct object. It is usually considered poor style (as well as being just confusing) to have the same verb govern two separate accusatives: "Diru al mi la veron!" is thus preferable to "Diru min la veron", especially since "mi" is not the direct object.

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