One Root, Many Words

Level 2

One root plus four endings makes four word types.

How It Works

Root-o noun-a adjective-e adverb-i verb
san-sano healthsana healthysane healthilysani to be healthy
rapid-rapido speedrapida fastrapide quicklyrapidi to hurry
ĝoj-ĝojo joyĝoja gladĝoje joyfullyĝoji to be glad

The root holds the meaning, and the ending tells how the word works in a sentence: -o names a thing or an idea, -a describes a noun, -e tells how something is done, and -i is the verb form for doing or being.

The meaning of the new word stays close to the root. For a quality root such as rapid-, the verb means to be that way. For an action root such as labor-, the verb is the action itself: labori means to work.

So one root gives you four words to read. Later topics add word parts such as mal- and -ej- to build even more.

Examples (5)

  1. Via sano estas tre grava, Priya.

    Your health is very important, Priya.

    Sano is the noun for the idea of health.

  2. Priya estas sana kaj feliĉa.

    Priya is healthy and happy.

    Sana describes a person, so it is an adjective.

  3. Kenji manĝas sane.

    Kenji eats healthily.

    Sane tells how Kenji eats.

  4. La trajno veturas rapide.

    The train travels fast.

    Rapide describes the verb veturas.

  5. Ni devas rapidi, ĉar la trajno venas.

    We must hurry because the train is coming.

    Rapidi is the verb from the same root.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the noun where an adjective is needed.

    Mi estas sano.
    Mi estas sana.

    Sano is the noun health. To say that you are healthy, use the describing word sana.

How It Connects

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

One Root, Many WordsLevel 2

Learn This First

One root can take several endings, so this lesson comes after the main endings are known.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 8 more in the full list.