1. The DEFINITE ARTICLE is invariably LA in all cases singular and plural. La Patroj, the Fathers.
2. There is no indefinite article in Esperanto. Patro, a Father; or merely Father, as the case may be.
3. "NOT" is expressed by "NE." Mi ne havas amikon, I have not a friend.
4. Questions are introduced by "Ĉu." Ĉu mi ne havas amikon? Have I not a friend?
5. ESTI, to be, is the auxiliary verb in Esperanto. Havi, to have, is never an auxiliary.
N.B.—There are no exceptions or irregularities in Esperanto.
The VOCABULARY has been simplified by about 30 affixes, which are used to modify the meanings of root words. The commonest are the following PREFIXES:—
- BO indicates relationship by marriage. Bofrato, Brother-in-law.
- DIS indicates separation, as in English. Disŝiri, to tear to pieces.
- EK indicates the commencement of an action. Eklerni, to begin to learn.
- MAL is always used to indicate OPPOSITES. Varma, warm. Malvarma, cool. Amiko, friend. Malamiko, enemy.
- RE denotes the repetition of an action. Relerni, to relearn. Rediri, to say again.
The principal SUFFIXES are the following:—