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.
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