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Questions & Answers about Jen la bela hundo.
What does Jen mean in the sentence Jen la bela hundo?
Jen functions as an introductory word meant to draw attention. It’s used much like "here is" or "behold" in English, signaling that something is being presented—in this case, the dog.
What is the role of la in this sentence?
La is the definite article in Esperanto, equivalent to "the" in English. It specifies that you’re talking about a particular dog, rather than any dog in general.
How does the adjective bela agree with the noun hundo?
In Esperanto, adjectives always end in -a to show agreement with the nouns they modify. In la bela hundo, bela (meaning "beautiful") directly describes hundo (meaning "dog"), following the standard pattern without additional inflections.
Why is there no word for "is" or similar verb in the sentence?
Esperanto often omits the copular verb in demonstrative sentences. The word Jen already gives the sense of presentation—like saying "here is". This makes an extra verb unnecessary to convey the intended meaning.
Is the word order in la bela hundo fixed, or can it be rearranged?
While the typical and clearest order in Esperanto is to place the adjective before the noun (as in la bela hundo), there is some flexibility for stylistic emphasis. However, sticking with the standard order is recommended, especially for beginners, to keep the meaning clear and consistent.