Animals
Introduction
In this section, we explain the syllables vir-, -in-, -id- and -aĉ- which function mostly (but not exclusively) as terms for animals. We can create the term for male, female, descendants etc., with the help of the corresponding syllable.
Example
Estas tri ŝafoj: virŝafo, ŝafino kaj ŝafido.
vir-/-in-
Nouns in their basic form are all neutral in Esperanto – meaning we can’t tell if we are dealing with a male or female being. If we want to differentiate between the sexes, we use the syllable vir- or -in-.
Vir- denotes a masculine noun, and -in- a feminine noun.
- Example:
- ŝafo = sheep
- virŝafo = ram
- ŝafino = ewe
We can use the syllable -in- for people as well as animals. But we don’t use vir- for men, instead we take the general term.
- Example:
- ŝafisto = shepherd (gender neutral or male)
- ŝafistino = shepherdess (female)
Info
The words for man (viro) and woman (virino) are derived from the syllables.
-id-
Use -id- to identify descendants.
- Example:
- ŝafido = lamb
We can add the gender of the descendants with the syllables vir-/-in-.
- Example:
- virŝafido = male lamb
- ŝafidino/ŝafinido = female lamb
-aĉ-
We use -aĉ- to devaluate something; usually something that looks shabby/miserable.
- Example:
- ŝafaĉo = ugly sheep
Some animals have a similar term in English.
- Example:
- kataĉo = feral cat
- hundaĉo = mongrel
We can use -aĉ- also for people and things.
- Example:
- domaĉo = derelict house (domo = house)
- urbaĉo = ugly, unpleasant city (urbo = city)
-aĵ-
For those who get hungry when thinking about animals, -aĵ- is an important syllable. With it, we form the name of the meat from different animals.
- Example:
- ŝafaĵo = Schafsfleisch
- virŝafaĵo = Hammelfleisch
- ŝafidaĵo = Lammfleisch