Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Esperanto grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Mi certas, ke vi komprenas min.
Why does the verb “certas” end with –as, and what does that ending represent in Esperanto?
In Esperanto, every verb in the present tense ends in –as. This ending is unchanging regardless of the subject, which means “certas” always means “am/is/are sure.” There’s no variation for person or number, simplifying verb conjugation.
What role does “ke” play in the sentence “Mi certas, ke vi komprenas min”?
“Ke” is a subordinating conjunction equivalent to the English “that.” It introduces the subordinate clause “vi komprenas min” and connects it to the main clause “Mi certas.” This marker helps maintain a clear separation between the two ideas without requiring any change in word order.
Why is the pronoun “min” used instead of “mi” in this sentence?
In Esperanto, pronouns have different forms for subjects and objects. “Mi” is used as the subject (“I”), while “min” is its accusative (object) form (“me”). Since “min” is the object of the verb “komprenas” (understands), it correctly appears in its accusative form.
How does the word order in “Mi certas, ke vi komprenas min” illustrate Esperanto’s sentence structure?
Esperanto typically follows a subject–verb–object (SVO) order. In the main clause, “Mi” is the subject and “certas” is the verb. In the subordinate clause, “vi” is the subject, “komprenas” is the verb, and “min” is the object. This consistent structure makes the sentence clear and straightforward.
Is the comma before “ke” necessary, and what purpose does it serve in the sentence?
While punctuation in Esperanto is more flexible than in some other languages, using a comma before “ke” is common practice. It visually separates the main clause (“Mi certas”) from the subordinate clause (“ke vi komprenas min”), aiding in readability and clarifying the sentence’s structure.
How does Esperanto mark the direct object in a sentence like this?
Esperanto uses the ending –n to indicate the direct object of a sentence. In this example, “min” is derived from “mi” with the added –n, clearly marking it as the object of “komprenas” (understands). This simple rule helps remove ambiguity in sentence structure.