Skribu la mendnumeron ĉi tie.

Skribu is the -u form, which Esperanto uses for commands, requests, instructions, or suggestions.

• skribi = to write
• skribas = writes / is writing
• skribu = write!

So Skribu la mendnumeron ĉi tie. is an instruction: Write the order number here.

It can be either. Esperanto uses the same -u verb form for:

• you singular
• you plural
• polite you

The subject vi is usually omitted in commands because it is understood. So this sentence could be aimed at one person or several people.

The -n marks the direct object in Esperanto.

Here, the thing being written is the order number, so it takes the accusative ending:

• mendnumero = order number
• mendnumeron = order number as the direct object

In other words, what should you write?
Answer: la mendnumeron.

La is Esperanto’s definite article, meaning the.

It is used here because the sentence refers to a specific order number—the one relevant to the form, purchase, or situation. So la mendnumeron means the order number, not just any order number.

It is a compound word:

• mend- = order, order-related, from mendi (to order)
• numero = number
• -n = direct object ending

So:

• mendnumero = order number
• mendnumeron = order number as the object of the verb

Esperanto often combines roots into one word like this.

Because Esperanto commonly forms compound nouns by putting roots together into a single word.

The final part is the main idea, and the earlier part modifies it:

• numero = number
• mendnumero = a number connected with an order

This is very normal in Esperanto. English sometimes does the same, but Esperanto does it even more regularly.

Ĉi tie means here.

A useful way to think about it is:

• tie = there
• ĉi tie = here

The word ĉi adds the idea of nearness. You also see it in forms like:

• ĉi tiu = this
• ĉi tie = here

So in this sentence, ĉi tie tells you the place where you should write the order number.

In Esperanto, commands often leave out the subject because it is obvious.

So:

• Skribu! = Write!
• Vi skribu! = You should write! or You, write!

The version without vi is the normal one for instructions on signs, forms, and directions.

Yes, Esperanto word order is fairly flexible, because endings show the grammar clearly.

For example, these are possible:

• Skribu la mendnumeron ĉi tie.
• Ĉi tie skribu la mendnumeron.
• La mendnumeron skribu ĉi tie.

But the original version sounds the most natural and straightforward for an instruction on a form or webpage.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

SKREE-boo la men-doo-nu-MEH-ron chee TEE-eh

A few useful points:

• skr in skribu is pronounced as written
• u sounds like oo
• e is like eh
• ĉ sounds like ch in church
• every letter is pronounced
• stress is on the second-to-last syllable:
  • skriBU
  • mendnumeRON
  • TIe

So ĉi tie is two syllables in tie: TEE-eh, not one syllable like English tie.