Se miaj manoj estas malpuraj, mi lavas ilin denove.

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Breakdown of Se miaj manoj estas malpuraj, mi lavas ilin denove.

• esti: to be
• se: if
• mia: my

Questions & Answers about Se miaj manoj estas malpuraj, mi lavas ilin denove.

Why is it miaj manoj and not mia manoj?

Because the possessive adjective mia has to agree with the noun it describes.

• mano = hand
• manoj = hands

Since manoj is plural, mia becomes miaj.

So:

• mia mano = my hand
• miaj manoj = my hands

Esperanto adjectives and possessives match the noun in number, and sometimes also in case.

Why is it manoj with -j?

The ending -j marks the plural in Esperanto.

• mano = hand
• manoj = hands

Since the sentence talks about both hands, the plural is used.

Why is it malpuraj and not malpura?

Because malpuraj describes manoj, and adjectives must agree with the noun they modify.

• manoj is plural
• so the adjective must also be plural: malpuraj

Compare:

• malpura mano = a dirty hand
• malpuraj manoj = dirty hands

What does mal- mean in malpuraj?