Lesson 12:
Translation of English Idioms

Translations

"That"

As a conjunction, "that" is translated by ke. When it means "who", "whom", or "which", then it is translated by qua(n). When it acts as a adjective or as a noun refering to a person, it is translated by (i)ta, and when it refers to a thing, (i)to. The phrase "that kind of" is translated as tala, and "in order that" as por ke.

Me vidas, ke vu esas hike.

I see that you are here.

La hundo, quan vu vidis

The dog that you saw

Ta viro esas tro olda.

That man is too old.

To ne utilesas.

That is no use.

Tala persono! ne-kredebla!

That person! Well, I never!

Me dicas ol a vu nun, por ke vu esez preparita.

I tell you now, that you may be prepared.

"Whose"

"Whose" is translated as either di qua or di qui depending on the number of possessors.

La puero di qua me vidis la libro

The boy whose book I saw

La libri di qui vu prizis la binduro

The books, the binding of which you liked

"What"

When "what" means "that which", it is translated as (i)to quo(n). When is refers to a thing, it is translated as quo(n). When used as an adjective, it is translated as qua(n). As an exclamation: Quo! The phrase "What a ... !" is translated: Quala ... !

To quon vu dicas, esas justa.

What you say is right.

Quon vu volas?

What do you want?

Qua dio?

What day?

Quala vento!

What a wind!

"Shall"

If "shall" indicates the future tense, then it is translated by the ending -os. If it means "must", then it is translated with the verb devar.

Me esos hike morge.

I shall be here tomorrow.

Tu ne false atestez.

Thou shalt not bear false witness.

"Will"

If "will" indicates the future tense, then it is translated by the ending -os. Use the acverb ya for emphasis. "To be willing" is translated as voluntar.

Il skribos a vu.

He will write to you.

Ka vu voluntas facar favoro a me?

Will you do me a favour?

"Must"

Normally, "must" is translated by the verb mustar. When the subject need not be mentioned, it can be translated with oportar. The phrase "that must be _" is translated by the suffix -end.

Me mustas departar.

I must go.

Oportas departar nun.

We must go now.

Libro lektenda

A book that must be read

"Should"

Used conditionally, "should" is translated with the ending -us. When it means "ought", it is translated by the verb "devar". And if it means "if" then it is translated se ... -os.

Me esus felica havar ol.

I should be glad to have it

Vu devas skribar a li.

You should write to them.

Se vu bezonos mea servi...

Should you require my services...

"Would"

Used conditionally, "would" is translated with the ending -us. When it indicates insistance, it is translated with the verb volar. When it refers to a past habit, it is translated by the suffix and ending -adis. "Would that ..." is translated se nur ... -us.

Il ne oblivius ol.

He would not forget it.

Me probis haltigar il, ma il volis facar ol.

I tried to stop him, but he would do it.

El sidadis sur ta stuleto.

She would sit on that little chair.

Se nur paco omna-loke regnus!

Would that peace reigned everywhere!

"May"

When "may" means "perhaps", it is translated by the word forsan. When it means "to be allowed", then it is translated with the verb darfar.

Forsan pluvos.

It may rain.

Vu ne darfas facar ol.

You may not do it.

"-Ing"

If creates a true cerbal adjective, then it is translated -anta. If it creates a noun of action, then change the final -ar of the infinitive to -o or -ado. After a preposition, just use the infinitive form. As the subect of a verb, either use the infinitive form of the nominal form given previously. If it is part of a progressive tense, then use a simple tense if possible. If it could be preceded by "while", "in", or "on" at the beginning of the sentence, then it is translated -ante.

Krianta infanto

A crying child

La yuni prizas dansado.

Young people are fond of dancing.

Pos respondir ad elua letro

After answering her letter

Fumar esas mala por la saneso.

Smoking is bad for the health.

Stacante, me parolis ad il.

I spoke to him standing.