iom, quantity. Kiom da mono vi bezonas? Mi havas tiom, mi povas prunti al vi iom, sed ne ĉiom. Se mi pruntus al vi ĉiom, mi mem havus neniom. How much money do you need ? I have so much (that quantity), I can lend you some, but not all. If I were to lend you all, I myself should have none.
iu denotes individuality, person, or thing specified. Kiu estis ĉe la balo? Ĉiu, kiu estis invitita, estis tie, neniu forestis. Iu, kiun mi mem ne konas, venis kun tiu kiu vizitis vin hierau. Who was at the ball? Everybody who had been invited was there, nobody was absent. Somebody, whom I myself do not know, came with that person who visited you yesterday.
It will be seen from these examples that the words beginning with K either ask questions or refer to some person or thing before mentioned. Those beginning with T point to a definite time, place, etc. Those with Ĉ signify each or every, and in the plural all. Those without a letter prefixed are indefinite, meaning some or any; and those with nen- are negative, meaning no, none.
The words ending in "ia" and those in "iu" can take the plural j and accusative n.
The words in io take n, but the sense does not permit of their taking j.
The words in ie take the n denoting direction.
The word ĉi, signifying nearness, is used with the T series (words meaning that), to denote the one near i.e., this, as Tio ĉi, this thing; Tiu ĉi, this person; Tie ĉi, or, ĉi tie, here, etc.
The word ajn, ever, is used with the K series to give a more inclusive and wider meaning, as Kio ajn, whatever; Kiu ajn, whoever; Kiam ajn, whenever; Kiom ajn, however much.
Comparisons of equality are made with the words—
tiel ... kiel, as Vi estas tiel forta, kiel mi, You are as strong as I.