ni + Verb in -u

Let Us

Level 3

Ni plus -u means let us.

How It Works

SayMeaning
Ni iru!Let us go!
Ni manĝu.Let us eat.
Ni legu la unuan ĉapitron.Let us read the first chapter.
Ĉu ni iru al la koncerto?Shall we go to the concert?
Ni ne iru.Let us not go.

With ni the subject stays in the sentence, because the suggestion includes the speaker. The ending is the same -u that gives a command.

A question with ĉu is a polite offer: Ĉu ni iru? asks whether the group should go, and it usually works as a friendly suggestion.

Put ne in front of the verb to say let us not.

Examples (5)

  1. Ni iru al la parko, Ewa!

    Let us go to the park, Ewa!

    Ni with -u suggests going together.

  2. Ni manĝu en la hotelo hodiaŭ.

    Let us eat at the hotel today.

    The suggestion includes the speaker.

  3. Ni legu la unuan ĉapitron de la libro.

    Let us read the first chapter of the book.

    Legu is the -u form of legi.

  4. Ĉu ni iru al la koncerto, Mei?

    Shall we go to the concert, Mei?

    Ĉu turns the suggestion into a polite question.

  5. Ni ne parolu pri laboro hodiaŭ.

    Let us not talk about work today.

    Ne stands in front of the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain present for a suggestion.

    Ni iras!
    Ni iru!

    Ni iras! is a correct sentence, but it says that we are going. To suggest going, use the -u ending.

How It Connects

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

ni + Verb in -uLevel 3Let Us

Learn This First

Ni with -u is a command for a group that includes you.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.