eks-

Eks-: Former

Level 4

Eks- says that someone used to be, but is not any more.

How It Works

WordWith eks-Meaning
edzoeksedzoformer husband
(on its own)eksaformer
-iĝieksiĝito resign, to leave a post
-igieksigito dismiss from a post

Eks- is used most with jobs and other roles of people. On its own, eksa is an adjective: la eksa instruisto is a person who used to be a teacher. The prefix goes in front of the whole word, and the endings stay at the end: eksedzo, eksedzoj, eksedzon.

Do not mix eks- with ek-. The prefix ek- starts an action, as in ekdormi (to fall asleep). The prefix eks- says that something is over.

Examples (4)

  1. Mia eksedzo kaj mi ankoraŭ estas amikoj.

    My ex-husband and I are still friends.

    Eksedzo is a man who used to be a husband.

  2. Ahmed parolas kun sia eksa instruisto ĉe la kongreso.

    Ahmed talks with his former teacher at the congress.

    Eksa is the adjective for former.

  3. La urbestro eksiĝis, kaj la urbo havas novan estron.

    The mayor resigned, and the city has a new leader.

    Eksiĝi means to become a former mayor, that is, to resign.

  4. La eksa estro de la klubo ankoraŭ venas al ĉiu kunveno.

    The former leader of the club still comes to every meeting.

    Eksa estro is a leader who used to be in charge.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing ek- when you mean former.

    Mi renkontis mian ekedzon.
    Mi renkontis mian eksedzon.

    Ek- starts an action, as in ekdormi. Eks- means former.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

eks-Level 4Eks-: Former

Learn This First

Eks- means former and is easy to mix up with ek-.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.