kun / sen

With and Without

Level 2

Kun is with, and sen is without.

How It Works

WordMeaningExample
kunwith, together withkafo kun lakto
senwithoutteo sen sukero

Kun shows company: a person who goes along with you, or something that comes with a thing, like milk with coffee. Sen is the opposite and shows that something is missing.

Both words go before a noun, and the noun keeps its plain form: kun la amikoj, sen mono.

Both words fit people, things and ideas: kun mia fratino (with my sister), sen espero (without hope).

A pen or a phone is a tool, not company. For tools, Esperanto uses per, which the next topics explain.

Examples (5)

  1. Mi trinkas kafon kun lakto.

    I drink coffee with milk.

    Kun adds the milk to the coffee.

  2. Kofi trinkas teon sen sukero.

    Kofi drinks tea without sugar.

    Sen shows that the sugar is missing.

  3. Mi iras al la kongreso kun mia amiko.

    I am going to the congress with my friend.

    Kun shows the person who goes along.

  4. Mi ne povas legi sen vortaro.

    I cannot read without a dictionary.

    Sen shows that the dictionary is missing.

  5. Ni manĝas kun la familio de Ewa.

    We are eating with Ewa's family.

    Kun shows the company at the meal.

How It Connects

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

kun / senLevel 2With and Without

Learn This First

Kun and sen are used the same way as the place words.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.