Relative Pronouns

Usage

With the help of a relative clause we can give extra information. To do so, we replace a noun with a relative pronoun. The form of the pronoun we use depends on the role of the relative clause.

Kiu

In Esperanto, a relative pronoun is most often a form of kiu. We have to be careful of whether to use singular or plural, nominative or accusative.

Example:

Ŝi konkeris mian koron, kiu nun batas impete.She won my heart which is now beating wildly.

a heart → singular
What beats wildly? → nominative

Mi ne vidis la aliajn knabinojn, kiuj estis tie.I didn’t see the other girls who were there.

other girls → plural
Who was there? → nominative

Mi serĉas la knabinon, kiun mi renkontis hieraŭ.I am looking for the girl who I met yesterday.

one girl → singular
Whom did I meet yesterday? → accusative

Ŝi estas la knabino, al kiu ĉion mi donus.She is the girl for whom I would do anything.

a girl → singular
For whom would I do anything? → preposition al + nominative

Kies

When a relative clause expresses possession or ownership, we use kies (in English: whose).

Example:

Ŝi estas la knabino, kies rideto mi neniam forgesos.She is the girl whose smile I will never forget.

Kio

Sometimes a relative clause relates to an adjective, usually in the superlative (la plej …) or a corresponding form (la unuathe first, la solathe only), which is used as a noun. In this case, the relative clause is preceeded by kio and we only have to pay attention whether to use nominative or accusative.

Example:

Tio estas la plej mirinda, kio iam okazis al mi.This is the most wonderful (thing) that has ever happened.

La unua, kion mi volas vidi ĉiun matenon, estas ŝia bela vizaĝo.The first (thing) that I’d like to see every morning is your pretty face.