Prepositions

Esperanto Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Esperanto like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Esperanto Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Esperanto, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Esperanto

Prepositions Esperanto Audio
In front ofantaŭ
Behindpost
Beforeantaŭ
Afterpost
Insideen
Withkun
Withoutsen
Outsideekster
On top ofsupre sur
Undermalsupre de
About (in regards to)pri
Againstkontraŭ
Andkaj
As (similar to)kiel
Betweeninter
Butsed
Forpor, pro
Fromde, el
Inen
Instead ofanstataŭ
Nearproksime
Ofde
Oraux
Sinceekde
Sotiam / tiel
Toservomono
Untilĝis

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Esperanto sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Esperanto Prepositions in a Sentence

English Esperanto Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Cxu mi povas prakti italian kun vi?
I speak French but with an accentMi parolas la franca sed kun akcento
I was born in MiamiMi naskigxis en Miami
I'm from JapanMi estas el Japanio
The letter is inside the bookLa letero estas en la libro
The pen is under the deskLa plumo estas sub la skribotablo
Directions
Can I help you?Ĉu mi povas helpi vin?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me using the Esperanto contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Esperanto

Directions Esperanto Audio
Can you help me?Ĉu vi povas helpi min?
Can you show me?Ĉu vi povas montri al mi?
Come with me!Venu kun mi!
Downtown (city center)Urbocentro
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Pardonu!
Go straightIru rekten
How can I get to the museum? Kiamaniere mi povas atingi la muzeon?
How long does it take to get there?Kiom longe oni bezonas ĝis tien?
I'm lostmi perdiĝis
I'm not from hereMi ne estas de ĉi-tie
It's far from hereTio estas malproksime cxi tie
It's near hereTio estas proksime Cxi tie
One moment please!Unu momenton, mi petas!
Turn leftturnu maldekstren
Turn rightturnu dekstren
Farmalproksime
Hereĉi tie, tie ĉi
Leftmaldekstra
Rightdekstra
Nearproksime de
Straightrekta
Theretie
To driveal, por
To turnturni
To walkiri
Traffic lightSemaphore
Transportationtransporto

Daily Conversation in Esperanto

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Esperanto. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Esperanto Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Esperanto

English Esperanto Audio
Do you speak English?Ĉu vi parolas angle?
Just a littleNur malmulte
What's your name?Kio estas via nomo?
My name is (John Doe)Mia nomo estas (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...S-ro ... / s-ino ... / fraŭlino ...
Nice to meet you!Agrable renkonti vin!
You're very kind!Vi estas tre afabla!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Esperanto about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Esperanto Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Esperanto homepage.