ge-

Ge-: Both Sexes

Level 3

ge- puts men and women together in one plural word.

How It Works

One sexWith ge-Meaning
patro (father)gepatrojparents
frato (brother)gefratojbrothers and sisters
filo (son)gefilojsons and daughters
sinjoro (sir)gesinjorojladies and gentlemen

A word with ge- is normally plural, because it needs at least two people. Possessives and adjectives agree with it: miaj gepatroj (my parents).

Words that already include everyone need no ge-. Homoj (people) and infanoj (children) can be men and women, boys and girls.

Do not confuse ge- with -in-. The ending -in- shows one woman, and ge- shows a mixed group.

Examples (5)

  1. Miaj gepatroj loĝas en Pollando.

    My parents live in Poland.

    Gepatroj names a father and a mother together.

  2. Ĉu vi havas gefratojn?

    Do you have brothers and sisters?

    Gefratojn is plural and the object, so it has -j and -n.

  3. Bonan vesperon, gesinjoroj!

    Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!

    Gesinjoroj greets men and women together.

  4. La gefiloj de Ana lernas Esperanton.

    Ana's sons and daughters are learning Esperanto.

    Gefiloj names both sons and daughters.

  5. Mi vizitas miajn gepatrojn en Brazilo.

    I am visiting my parents in Brazil.

    Miajn gepatrojn is plural and the object.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the plural -j on the possessive.

    Mia gepatroj loĝas en Pollando.
    Miaj gepatroj loĝas en Pollando.

    A ge- word is plural, so the possessive takes -j too: miaj gepatroj.

How It Connects

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

ge-Level 3Ge-: Both Sexes

Learn This First

Ge- names both sexes together, which only makes sense once the female -in- is known.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.