Mi tenas la rentgenbildon.

I

Breakdown of Mi tenas la rentgenbildon.

• la: the
• rentgenbildo: the X-ray image
• teni: to hold; keep

Questions & Answers about Mi tenas la rentgenbildon.

Why does rentgenbildon end in -n?

The -n ending marks the direct object in Esperanto.

In Mi tenas la rentgenbildon, the thing being held is the X-ray image, so rentgenbildo takes -n and becomes rentgenbildon.

A simple way to think about it:

• mi = the person doing the action
• tenas = am holding / hold
• la rentgenbildon = the thing being held

This -n ending is very common in Esperanto and is one of the most important grammar markers to learn.

Why is tenas used instead of teni?

Teni is the dictionary form of the verb, meaning to hold.

In a normal present-tense sentence, Esperanto uses -as on the verb:

• teni = to hold
• tenas = hold / am holding / is holding

So:

• Mi tenas = I hold or I am holding

Esperanto does not usually distinguish between English I hold and I am holding with different verb forms. The present tense -as can cover both, depending on context.

What does la mean here?