Ch 23 · Lesson 9Esperanto · Chapter 23 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
Names and the accusative: Annan, Elisabeth-on, Johanon
An -o name takes -n like any noun. A foreign name takes -n after a vowel, -on (often after a hyphen) otherwise, nothing when the meaning stays clear, or lets a title carry it.
The short version
Foreign names take -n, -on, or nothing
Elisabeth-?
Why?Hide
An -o name takes -n like any noun: Johanon. A foreign name ending in a vowel can take -n (Annan), any other -on, often after a hyphen (Elisabeth-on), or no ending when the meaning stays clear. A title in front can also carry it: Vigdís.
The accusative on a foreign name
An Esperantised name ends in -o, so it takes -n like any noun:
Johanon.- I know Johano.
A name in its original spelling has no -o to hang the -n on. PMEG gives four ways out:
| The name | What to do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ends in a vowel | add -n | Annan? |
| ends otherwise | add -, often hyphenated | Elisabeth-? |
| clear from order | leave it off | Elizabeto Peter. |
| has a title | the title takes -n | Vigdís |
Annan?- Do you know Anna?Bertan.- I saw Berta.Elizabeto Peter.- Elizabeto saw Peter.
Leaving it off works when the other name shows the roles. Elizabeto is fully Esperantised and has no -n, so it can only be the subject, and Peter must be the object:
Names in two parts
Every Esperanto -o word in a name takes the -n; a part left in its original spelling does not:
| Name | As an object | Why |
|---|---|---|
Jesuo Kristo | Jesuon Kriston | both parts end in -o |
Christeno Pedersen | Christenon Pedersen | only the given name |
Jozefo Wasniewski | Jozefon Wasniewski | the surname stays as it is |
Christenon Pedersen.- I met Christeno Pedersen.
PMEG adds that Christenon Pedersen rather than Christenon Pedersenon is a habit, not a rule.
Going further: What Zamenhof did and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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