en, sur, sub, super
In, On, Under, Above
In, on, under and above each have their own word.
How It Works
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| en | inside | en la ĉambro |
| sur | on a surface, touching | sur la tablo |
| sub | under, lower | sub la lito |
| super | above, with space between | super la domo |
En shows an inside position: a room, a bag, a city or a country is a space to be in. Sur shows a position on a surface, usually with contact. It need not be the top: a picture on a wall is sur la muro. Sub and super are lower and higher; with super there is normally room between the two things, and if they touch, sur is the better word.
The Spanish and Portuguese words en and em can mean on, but the Esperanto en shows an inner position. A book on a table is sur la tablo.
These words show where something is, so the noun after them takes no -n. A later topic shows how -n turns them into words for movement.
Examples (5)
- Via valizo estas en la ĉambro.
Your suitcase is in the room.
En shows that the suitcase is inside the room.
- La ŝlosilo estas sur la tablo.
The key is on the table.
Sur shows that it lies on the table.
- La kato dormas sub la lito.
The cat sleeps under the bed.
Sub shows a lower position.
- La lampo pendas super la tablo.
The lamp hangs above the table.
Super shows a higher position with space between.
- Ni loĝas en Pollando.
We live in Poland.
A country counts as a space, so it takes en.
Common Mistakes
Using en for a surface.
La libro estas en la tablo.La libro estas sur la tablo.En means inside. A book that lies on top of a table is sur la tablo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These four words show where something is and go before a noun.
Related Patterns
- antaŭ, post, apud, interBefore, After, Beside, Between
More words for position.
Level 2 - ĉeAt and by
The word for being at a place or person.
Level 2 - Direction With -nMoving into: Direction with -n
How these words show movement.
Level 3 - Prepositions and -nNo -n After Prepositions
Why the noun after them has no -n.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice en, sur, sub, super in Bubblegum
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