ko / pe / upe / amo
This and That
Ko is “this”, pe and upe are “that”, and amo is “that over there”.
How It Works
These four words point at one thing. Which one you choose depends on where the thing is.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ko | this, close to the speaker | ko jagua “this dog” |
| pe, upe | that, close to the listener | pe tape puku “that long road” |
| amo | that over there, far from both | amo táva “that town over there” |
The pointing word goes before the noun, and a describing word comes after the noun. The noun itself does not change.
Upe also points to something that is not in front of you, such as a day in a story. Pe and upe often work like “the”. Guarani has no article of its own, and a noun can stand alone with no pointing word at all.
These words are for one thing. For more than one, use koʼã and umi.
Examples (5)
- Ko óga iporã.
This house is nice.
Ko points to a house near the speaker.
- Pe mbarakaja oikotevẽ tembiʼu.
That cat needs food.
Pe points to a cat near the listener.
- Amo óga iguasu.
That house over there is big.
Amo points to a house that is far from both people.
- Upe ára, ou peteĩ kuimbaʼe.
That day, a man came.
Upe points to a day in a story, not to something in front of you.
- Ehupi pe nde ao.
Pick up your clothes there.
Pe points to the clothes near the listener.
Common Mistakes
Putting the pointing word after the noun.
Óga ko iporã.Ko óga iporã.A pointing word goes before the noun. Describing words come after the noun.
Using ko when you mean more than one.
Ko mitã oñani.Koʼã mitã oñani.Ko mitã means “this child”. For “these children” the pointing word must be koʼã.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These words stand before a noun, so learners need to know that a root can be a noun.
Related Patterns
- koʼã / umiThese and Those
Use these two words when the noun means more than one thing.
Level 1 - kóva / péva / upévaThis One and That One
Add -va to ko, pe or upe to point without a noun.
Level 2 - Describing Words After the Noun or Verb
A describing word goes after the noun, the opposite of a pointing word.
Level 1 - la / lo Before a NounLa and Lo Before a Noun
Speakers also put la or lo before a noun, much like “the”.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ko / pe / upe / amo in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Guarani lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
