Introduction
Learning new words and vocabularly lists by heart is a big part of language learning. The process is much easier in Esperanto due to the fact that many words can be derived from other words with the help of specific syllables. This will drastically cut down your study time!
We explain how the terms for male (vir-), female (-in-) or baby animals (-id-) are derived. There are also syllables to express that something is ugly (-aĉ-) and to name the meat of an animal (-aĵ-).
With the help of the corresponding syllable, the feminine (-in-), collective (ge-), in-law (bo-), ancestor (pra-) and affectionate term (-ĉj-/-nj-) can all be derived from the masculine/neutral term for members of the family.
By simply adding different syllables to adjectives, we can form the opposite (mal-) or a weaker (-et-) or stronger (-eg-) adjective in Esperanto.
Tools (-il-), fixtures/fittings (-ing-) as well as containers (-uj-) can all be derived from basic terms. The prefixes mal-/mis-/re- help for everything that takes place in the workshop, and when something is just going to take longer, -ad- is the right syllable.
The syllables -ar/-er-/pra- help us to talk about the natural word. We can express something collective with -ar-, the individual elements of a unit with -er- or an original speciman with pra-.
When you prepare to go on holiday, it’s important to know when everthing kicks off (ek-), when you arrive (al-), where to get on (en-) and off (el-) and when exactly the return trip (re-/reen-) will take place.
Some syllables allow us to create an occupation (-ist-), a person doing something (-ant-), a place (-ej-), a person in charge of a place/a boss (-estr-) or a morally weak person (fi-). We can also create the female form (-in-) and a form for exes (eks-).
Here we explain, how countries and citizens are named in Esperanto. There are certain rules, but for easy reference we have also included a list.