Mi klopodas lerni Esperanton.

I try to learn Esperanto.

Breakdown of Mi klopodas lerni Esperanton.

• mi: I
• lerni: to learn
• klopodi: to try
• Esperanto: Esperanto

Questions & Answers about Mi klopodas lerni Esperanton.

What does klopodas mean in this sentence?

Klopodas comes from the verb klopodi, which means “to try,” “to make an effort,” or “to strive.” In the sentence Mi klopodas lerni Esperanton, it indicates that the speaker is actively attempting or putting effort into learning Esperanto.

Why is lerni used in its infinitive form rather than being conjugated?

In Esperanto, when one verb (such as klopodas) is used to express an attempt or intention, it is common to follow it with an infinitive. Lerni here functions just like the English “to learn,” serving as a complement to the main verb klopodas without needing further conjugation.

Why does Esperanton have an -n ending?

The -n ending marks Esperanton as the direct object of the verb lerni. In Esperanto, regardless of the noun’s nature—be it a common noun, proper noun, or even a language name—the direct object always takes the accusative ending -n to clearly indicate its grammatical role.

What is the overall sentence structure and word order in this example?

The sentence follows a standard subject–verb–object (SVO) order: Mi (subject) + klopodas (verb) + lerni Esperanton (object/complement). Although Esperanto’s use of endings like -n makes the word order flexible, the SVO structure is the most straightforward and common way to express this idea.

How does klopodas differ from a similar verb like provas when expressing the idea of “trying”?

Both klopodas and provas can be translated as “to try,” but there is a subtle difference in nuance. Klopodas implies a strong effort or a determined struggle to achieve something, suggesting that the task (in this case, learning Esperanto) is challenging. In contrast, provas might be used in contexts where one is simply making an attempt without emphasizing the intensity of the effort.