Learn Hardcore Esperanto: Hodiaŭ mi volas lerni novan gramatikon.

Hodiaŭ means today. While Esperanto allows flexible word order, placing the time adverb at the beginning is a common practice to set the temporal context right away. However, this is a stylistic choice rather than a strict rule.

Why does the adjective nova appear as novan in the sentence?

In Esperanto, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in both number and case. Since gramatikon is in the accusative case (indicated by the ending -n because it is the direct object), the adjective nova also receives the accusative ending, resulting in novan.

What is the role of the ending -n in gramatikon?

The -n ending in Esperanto marks the accusative case, which is used to indicate the direct object of a verb. Here, gramatikon is the object of the action lerni (to learn), so the -n makes that relationship clear.

Why is the verb lerni in its infinitive form here?

After verbs like volas (wants) that express desire or intention, the following verb is used in the infinitive form. In Esperanto, all infinitives end in -i, so lerni (to learn) is the correct form to indicate what is being wanted.

Is it acceptable to change the word order of this sentence without causing confusion?

Yes, Esperanto is known for its flexible word order, largely because the accusative -n clearly marks the direct object. Although rearranging the sentence is grammatically correct, a conventional structure (such as subject–verb–object) is often recommended for beginners to maintain clarity.