Indirect Objects
Give the thing with -n and the receiver with al.
How It Works
| Who gives | Verb | The thing (-n) | Who receives (al) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi | donas | libron | al Ana |
| Ŝi | skribas | leteron | al mi |
| Kofi | sendas | mesaĝon | al Ewa |
The thing that moves from one person to another is the object, so it takes -n. The person who receives it is shown by al and takes no ending. Verbs of this kind include doni (give), skribi (write), sendi (send), montri (show) and diri (say).
English can put the receiver first without a small word: give Ana a book. Esperanto cannot. A verb does not take two objects for different roles, so the receiver needs al.
Examples (5)
- Mi donas libron al Ana.
I give Ana a book.
Libron is the thing given, and al Ana is the receiver.
- Ŝi skribas leteron al mi.
She writes me a letter.
Al mi shows who receives the letter.
- Kofi montras la fotojn al Ewa.
Kofi shows Ewa the photos.
Fotojn is a plural object; al Ewa is the person who sees them.
- Ĉu vi sendas mesaĝon al via amiko?
Are you sending a message to your friend?
The same pattern works in a question.
- Ana donis floron al Kenji.
Ana gave Kenji a flower.
The pattern stays the same in the past.
Common Mistakes
Giving the receiver -n instead of al.
Mi donas Anan libron.Mi donas libron al Ana.A verb does not take two -n objects for different roles. The person who receives the book needs al.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Giving something to someone uses an object with -n and the word al.
Related Patterns
Practice Indirect Objects in Bubblegum
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