Pronunciation & Basic Grammar


Esperanto uses 28 letters: (Qq, Ww, Xx, and Yy are not used.)

a b c  ĉ  d e f g  ĝ  h  ĥ  i j  ĵ  k l m n o p r s ŝ t u ŭ v z Since the above special characters don't print without special software, net-Esperanto uses: a b c  [  d e f g  }  h  {  i j  ]  k l m n o p r s $ t u w v z Most letters are pronounced as in English.  Just memorize the six special characters and note the three exceptions in pronunciation.  (for c, j, & r)

[   = ĉ (also written as: 'c ^c cx ch c' c^)   is pronounced like ch in church.
}   = ĝ (also written as: 'g ^g gx gh g' g^)     "   "   like g in gem or George.
{   = ĥ (also written as: 'h ^h hx hh h' h^)     "   "   like ch in loch.
]   = ĵ (also written as: 'j, etc.)     "   "   like s in pleasure or Zsazsa.  (j-wedge)
$  = ŝ (also written as: 's ^s sx sh s' s^)     "   "   like sh in ship.  (s-wedge)
w   is used for the ŭ sound (also written as: 'u, etc.) in aŭ & eŭ.  (w-glide)

c   is pronounced like ts in bits.
j   is pronounced like y in yes. (jes)
r and u are pronounced harder, as you do for Spanish or German.

 The GRAMMAR code is simple for all natural words:
All Nouns end in o; (if plural, end= oj).  A final n indicates the object (or direction, when a preposition doesn't give one).

Verbs end in s; (is, as & os for past/present/future; us for conditional)

If used as a command, end= u).  If used as infinitive, end= i.
 All Adjectives end in a.
Formed Adverbs end in e.

For 21 free lessons, go to BlumEnterprise.org/Net-Eo.html.
For questions, ask Joe Blum, tests@mindspring.com.

"Inteligenta persono lernas tian globan lingvon rapide kaj facile."

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