Questions & Answers about Hieraŭ mi atendis vin dek minutojn ĉe la haltejo.
Why does atendis end in -is?
In Esperanto, -is marks the past tense of a verb.
- atendi = to wait
- atendis = waited
So mi atendis means I waited.
This is much simpler than English: the verb ending tells you the time, and it does not change for different persons.
- mi atendis = I waited
- vi atendis = you waited
- li atendis = he waited
Why is it vin and not just vi?
Because atendi takes a direct object in Esperanto.
- vi = you
- vin = you, as the object of the verb
So:
- mi atendis vin = I waited for you
This is a very common point for English speakers, because English uses wait for someone, but Esperanto simply uses atendi iun.
Compare:
- Mi vidas vin. = I see you.
- Mi atendas vin. = I am waiting for you.
The -n marks the object.
Why does minutojn also have -n?
Here, is being used for .