Introduction
The word order and structure of sentences in Esperanto is rather flexible, but there are a few points to pay attention to. On the following pages, we explain how to construct different types of sentences in Esperanto.
Even though the word order is flexible in Esperanto, there are some points to pay attention to.
- Example:
- Ni havas tempon.
In Esperanto we negate with ne or the n- words from the table of words.
- Example:
- Mi ne havas tempon./Mi neniam havas tempon./Neniu havas tempon.
We form open questions with the k-words from the table of words. Closed questions are formed with ĉu in Esperanto.
- Example:
- Kiel vi fartas?
- Ĉu vi parolas Esperanton?
Conjunctions and subjunctions connect parts of sentences. Conjunctions connect two main clauses and subjunctions connect a main clause with a dependent clause.
- Example:
- Mi trapasis eksamenon ĉar ni lernis.
Participle clauses are shortened dependent clauses with an active or passive participle.
- Example:
- Parolante Esperanton, li havas multajn amikojn en ĉiumondo.Speaking Esperanto he has many friends all over the world.
Conditional clauses indicate a condition in which an action will take place.
- Example:
- Se vi parolas Esperanton, vi komprenas ĉi tiun frazon.
Relative clauses are dependent clauses that give extra information about a subject, object, place or time.
- Example:
- Igor, kiu vizitos nin la proxima semajno, estas mia kuzo.
When we turn direct speech into reported speech (indirect speech), we often have to change pronouns, places and times.
- Example:
- Li diris: „Mi venos morgaŭ.“
Li diris ke li venos la proximan tagon.
