li + Verb in -u
Let Him, Let Her
The -u form is not only for you and us.
How It Works
| Subject | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| vi (left out) | Venu tuj! | Come at once! |
| ni | Ni legu la unuan ĉapitron. | Let us read the first chapter. |
| li, ŝi, ili | Ili atendu ĉi tie. | Let them wait here. |
| a name | Ana venu al mi. | Ana should come to me. |
| a noun after the verb | Vivu Esperanto! | Long live Esperanto! |
The sentence is a wish or an order, not a statement. Li venos says that he will come, and Li venu says that he should come, or that you wish it. A friendly tone or a word like mi petas makes it a request.
No ke is needed before a lone -u verb: Li venu! Write Vivu Esperanto! and not Ke vivu Esperanto! PMEG calls the lone ke wish non-traditional.
Examples (5)
- Ana venu al mi, se ŝi havas demandon.
Ana should come to me if she has a question.
The -u form with a name gives a wish to Ana.
- Ili atendu ĉi tie, mi petas.
Let them wait here, please.
Ili with -u shows what the speaker wants them to do.
- Vivu Esperanto!
Long live Esperanto!
A wish with the verb first and no subject word before it.
- Li ne forgesu la biletojn!
He must not forget the tickets!
Ne goes before the -u verb to make a negative order.
- Ŝi diru al mi, kiam ŝi alvenos.
She should tell me when she arrives.
The -u form with ŝi gives an order about her.
Common Mistakes
Using -os for an order about someone else.
Ili atendos ĉi tie!Ili atendu ĉi tie!Ili atendos says that they will wait, which is a statement. For an order or a wish about them, use -u.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-u with li, ŝi or ili works like ni + -u.
Related Patterns
- -uCommands with -u
The -u ending for orders and requests to you.
Level 3 - volas, ke + Verb in -uWanting Someone to Act
The same -u in a clause after verbs of wanting.
Level 4 - bonvolu / ĉu vi povusPolite Requests
Friendly ways to ask for something.
Level 3 - -osThe Future Tense
The future, which states and does not command.
Level 2
Practice li + Verb in -u in Bubblegum
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