Mi havas akvon.

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Breakdown of Mi havas akvon.

• havi: to have
• akvo: the water

Questions & Answers about Mi havas akvon.

Why does akvon end with -n?

In Esperanto, the -n ending indicates the direct object (the accusative case). Since akvon receives the action of havas, it needs the -n. This makes the sentence structure and roles of words clear, no matter their order.

Why don’t I see an article (like a or the in English) before akvon?

Esperanto typically does not use an indefinite article. The word la (the) is used when you need a definite article, but there’s no direct equivalent to the English a or an. Saying Mi havas akvon corresponds to “I have some water” in English without needing an additional word.

Can I change the word order in this sentence?

Yes! Esperanto’s flexible word order allows you to say something like Akvon mi havas, but Mi havas akvon is most common and straightforward. The -n ending on akvon helps make the meaning clear regardless of order.

Is havas only for possession?

Havi generally means to have in the sense of possession. If you wanted to express other nuances (like “I’m carrying water” or “I’m holding water”), you might choose different verbs, depending on context. For everyday possession, havas is the go-to verb.