Questions & Answers about La rabato havas efikon sur la aĉetanton.
Why does efikon end in -n, but rabato does not?
Because efikon is the direct object of havas.
- La rabato = the subject, the thing that has
- havas = has
- efikon = the thing being had, so it takes the accusative -n
In Esperanto, the -n ending often marks the direct object. So:
- rabato = subject
- efikon = direct object
That is why you get La rabato havas efikon.
Why does aĉetanton also have -n, even though it already comes after sur?
This is a very common learner question.
Normally, after a preposition, you do not need -n, because the preposition already shows the relationship. But with certain prepositions of place or direction, including sur, Esperanto can add -n to show direction toward a target.
Here that idea is being used figuratively:
- sur la aĉetanto = on the buyer
- sur la aĉetanton = onto / directed toward the buyer
So the sentence presents the effect as something aimed at or landing on the buyer.
In abstract expressions like this, you may also encounter sur la aĉetanto without -n. The version with -n adds a stronger sense of directed impact.
What exactly is aĉetanto? Why not aĉetisto?