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Multiple questions on grammar from a beginner

by lunarmoog, November 12, 2010

Messages: 6

Language: English

lunarmoog (User's profile) November 12, 2010, 11:06:48 AM

Hi, I'm a beginner in learning esperanto, and I have only basic knowledge of its grammar from studying it for a few weeks many years ago. However I'm trying right now to get a sentence figured out so I can have it engraved on a gift in the near future. I'd greatly appreciate any help on multiple points:

1) Can the word 'sur' be used to mean "on the surface of"? E.g. "leteroj sur objekto" for "letters on an object"

2) If I'm trying to say "a book containing knowledge", is 'enhavanta' the correct word to use? "Libro enhavanta scio"

3) I am uncertain how to translate the word such in a sentence like this: "Excitement, danger, treasure - such is the nature of adventure." Using the lernu dictionary I'm given 'tia', so I would say "Ekscito, danĝero, trezoro - tia estas la naturo de aventuro." Is this correct? I also feel the need to add a 'n' to the end of a word somewhere, but I can't decide where.

Thanks so much, in advance, for any help
-Lex

darkweasel (User's profile) November 12, 2010, 1:51:48 PM

lunarmoog:
1) Can the word 'sur' be used to mean "on the surface of"? E.g. "leteroj sur objekto" for "letters on an object"
Yes - does it mean anything else, in fact?

lunarmoog:2) If I'm trying to say "a book containing knowledge", is 'enhavanta' the correct word to use? "Libro enhavanta scio"
Yes, but you've forgotten the accusative: libro enhavanta scion.

lunarmoog:3) I am uncertain how to translate the word such in a sentence like this: "Excitement, danger, treasure - such is the nature of adventure." Using the lernu dictionary I'm given 'tia', so I would say "Ekscito, danĝero, trezoro - tia estas la naturo de aventuro." Is this correct? I also feel the need to add a 'n' to the end of a word somewhere, but I can't decide where.
Using tia in such cases seems fine to me, and no, you haven't forgotten any -n.

ynnoj (User's profile) November 12, 2010, 1:54:59 PM

Hi Lex. I'm a relative beginner also but I think I can answer your third question:

In the sentence you give, the word "such" could (roughly) be substituted with "in such a way" or "this way." Therefore I would use "tiel," making the sentence "Exscito, dangxero, trezoro - tiel estas la naturo de aventuro." Again, I am a beginner myself. This is just my first impression of the sentence.

Also I don't believe a "-n" is necessary in this sentence.

If I can help in any other way don't hesistate to send me a message.

-Jon rideto.gif

erinja (User's profile) November 12, 2010, 3:44:34 PM

Tia is preferable to "tiel" in the phrase about the nature of adventure.

tia = of that type, of that quality, of that kind
tiel = in that way, in that manner, at that degree

If it were me I'd drop the word "naturo" entirely and say "...tia estas aventuro", but perhaps you are quoting something.

lunarmoog (User's profile) November 16, 2010, 1:22:45 AM

Thanks very much for all the help! It's greatly appreciated.

sudanglo (User's profile) November 16, 2010, 1:07:23 PM

If you wanted a less literal, possibly more elegant, translation of 'a book containing knowledge you might say 'inform-riĉa libro'. You could even get poetic a speak of a 'scio-plena trezorujo'

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