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temi

by Wilhelm, February 23, 2008

Messages: 5

Language: English

Wilhelm (User's profile) February 23, 2008, 1:01:37 PM

I'm having some problems understanding the verb "temi". The dictionary here says:

temi - to be about, to be on the subject of

and the Reta Vortaro:

1. Havi kiel temon.

2. (sensubjekte) La temo, la demando estas pri, la afero koncernas.

I think I understand the first meaning, but what about when used as thus:

"Ne temis pri ŝajnigo"

Am I correct that it is the second definition that is implied here? If so, I would like to understand what it means, and if not, well then, I guess I may need abit more explanation.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

William

mnlg (User's profile) February 23, 2008, 1:40:52 PM

Wilhelm:"Ne temis pri ŝajnigo"
This means "It wasn't about pretending".

A couple more examples:

Pri kio temas la prelego? What is the lecture about?

[Ĝi] temas pri komputiloj. It is about computers. Its subject is computers.

Hope this helps.

RiotNrrd (User's profile) February 23, 2008, 4:25:05 PM

"Temo" means "theme" in English. Now English doesn't ordinarily use "theme" in its verbal form, but, being a bit more flexible than English, Esperanto does, and that is what "temi" means.

"Pri kio temas la prelego?"

"About what themes the lecture?"
"What is the theme of the lecture?"
"What is the lecture about?"

awake (User's profile) February 26, 2008, 3:53:34 AM

As others have mentioned, this literally means something like "themed about". Temi means "to have the theme, subject, topic, etc..." You'll note that it is most often teamed with the preposition "pri" which means about/concerning

Another way to think of it is to translate it as

"It's a matter of" or "it's a question of" or simply, "it's about"

La mono ne gravas, temas pri principo

= The money's not important, (it's) a matter of principle

sergejm (User's profile) February 26, 2008, 5:33:21 AM

"Temas pri" means simply "It is spoken about"

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