Questions

Esperanto Lesson 9 (Questions and Misunderstanding)

Duration: 30 mins

This 9th lesson teaches an important aspect in Esperanto which is the interrogative form also called questions. In addition, there is a list of vocabulary terms about misunderstanding and finally some commonly used phrases. 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.

Questions

Being able to ask questions is what makes us curious beings, which in turns broadens our knowledge. It is no different when it comes to learning Esperanto. You will always be asking questions, and the following are some tools to help you in that quest.

The following are the 5 Ws + "how" commonly used adverbs to express the interrogative form. Most likely, whenever a question needs to be asked, one of them should be used. 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.

Interrogative Form in Esperanto

Questions Esperanto Audio
How?Kiamaniere?
What?Kio?
When?Kiam?
Where?Kie?
Who?Kiu?
Why?Kial?

Now we will try to implement the adverbs 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 Questions in a Sentence

Can I come?Ĉu mi povas veni?
Can I help you?Ĉu mi povas helpi vin?
Can you help me?Ĉu vi povas helpi min?
Do you know her?Ĉu vi konas ŝin?
Do you speak English?Ĉu vi parolas angle?
How difficult is it?Kiom komplika (ĝi) estas?
How far is this?Kiom for estas tio?
How much is this?Kiom multe estas tio?
How would you like to pay?Kiamaniere vi ŝatus pagi?
What is this called?Kiel ĝi nomiĝas?
What is your name?Kiel estas via nomo?
What time is it?La kioma horo estas?
When can we meet?Kiam ni povos renkonti?
Where do you live?Kie vi vivas?
Who is knocking at the door?Kiu frapas la pordon?
Why is it expensive?Kial ĝi estas multekosta?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Misunderstanding

There are times when you will not understand what a person said in Esperanto, or simply that you want them to repeat a word. The following are 24 expressions used to clear misunderstandings. Very essential to any conversation!

Misunderstanding in Esperanto

Misunderstanding Esperanto Audio
Can you repeat?Ĉu vi povas ripeti?
Can you speak slowly?Ĉu vi povas paroli malrapide?
Did you understand what I said?Ĉu vi komprenis, kion mi diris?
Don't worry!Ne gravas!
Excuse me? (i.e. I beg your pardon?)Pardonu?
How do you say "OK" in French?Kiamaniere vi diras ""OK"" en franca lingvo?
I don't know!Mi ne scias!
I don't understand!Mi ne komprenas!
I need to practice my FrenchMi bezonas ekzercadon de mia franca lingvo
Is that right?Ĉu tiu estas ĝuste?
Is that wrong?Ĉu tiu estas malĝuste?
Mistakeeraro
My French is badMi franca estas malbone
No problem!Nenia problemo
Quicklyrapide
Slowlymalrapide
Sorry (to apologize)Pardonu
To speakparoli
What does that word mean in English?Kion signifas la vorto en angla lingvo?
What is this?Kio estas tio?
What should I say?Kion mi diru?
What?Kio?
What's that called in French?Kiel ĝi nomiĝas en franca lingvo?
Write it down please!Bonvolu skribi!

Daily Conversation in Esperanto

Finally, a list of some common phrases that you might come across from time to time. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Esperanto Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Esperanto

English Esperanto Audio
ThisĈi tiu
ThatTiu
HereĈi tie
Theretie
In The Morningen la mateno
In the eveningen la vespero
At Nightdumnokte
Really!vere!
Look!Rigardu!
Hurry up!Rapidu!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The oldest written language was believed to be written in about 4500 BC.

Congratulations! You finished your 9th lesson in Esperanto about questions, and misunderstanding. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Esperanto Lesson 10. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Esperanto homepage.