Breakdown of Malgranda infano foje bezonas helpon de amikoj.
amiko
the friend
infano
the child
malgranda
small
foje
sometimes
bezoni
to need
helpo
the help
de
from
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Questions & Answers about Malgranda infano foje bezonas helpon de amikoj.
What does the word malgranda mean, and how is the mal- prefix used in Esperanto?
Malgranda translates to "small." It is formed by taking the adjective granda (meaning "big") and adding the prefix mal-, which in Esperanto is used to create the opposite meaning. This is a common and efficient way to form antonyms in Esperanto.
Why does the noun helpon end with an -n?
In Esperanto, the ending -n marks the accusative case. In this sentence, helpon is the direct object of the verb bezonas ("needs"), so the -n ending indicates that it is the object receiving the action.
How is pluralization indicated in the noun amikoj, and what does it mean?
Pluralization in Esperanto is achieved by adding the ending -j to a noun. Here, amikoj is the plural form of amiko ("friend"), meaning "friends."
What role does the adverb foje play in the sentence?
Foje functions as an adverb that means "sometimes." It modifies the verb bezonas, indicating that the action (needing help) occurs occasionally rather than all the time.
What is the function of the preposition de in the sentence?
The preposition de translates as "of" or "from." In this sentence, it links helpon (help) with amikoj (friends), signifying that the help needed by the small child comes from friends.