Esperanto is a constructed language created by Polish physician Ludwik Zamenhof in 1887. Designed as a universal auxiliary language, it is now spoken by several hundred thousand people worldwide, with an active community on every continent. Its 100% regular grammar and phonetic alphabet make it the fastest language to learn. With this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by at a world congress, a Pasporta Servo stay, or an Esperanto meeting.
Esperanto was born in 1887 from the pen of Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof, a Polish Jewish ophthalmologist born in Bialystok, a multicultural city torn by linguistic conflicts. His ambition was to create a neutral auxiliary language, easy to learn, capable of serving as a bridge between all peoples without favouring any. More than a century later, Esperanto remains by far the most successful constructed language in the world, with speakers on every continent and estimates ranging from a few hundred thousand to two million practitioners. Its grammar fits into sixteen rules with no exceptions: nouns end in -o, adjectives in -a, verbs in -as in the present, -is in the past, -os in the future. The 28-letter alphabet includes six letters with accents (ĉ, ĝ, ĥ, ĵ, ŝ, ŭ) and each letter is pronounced in one way only. This phonetic regularity allows beginners to read correctly from the first day. The Esperanto movement is structured around the Universala Esperanto-Asocio, the annual world congress and countless local clubs. The Pasporta Servo network offers home hospitality around the world reserved for Esperantists. On the spot, you will discover a tightly-knit international community, a rich original and translated literature, radio shows, podcasts and even songs. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival at a congress, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, an emergency and a smooth departure. Memorize these expressions and you will already have the basics to take part in an Esperanto meeting anywhere in the world.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive at the Universala Kongreso, you meet other attendees at the reception desk. You greet in Esperanto, thank the volunteer, then ask where the plenary hall is.
After a long day of conferences, you take a taxi back to your Pasporta Servo host. You ask the price, give the address and ask to be stopped right in front of the house.
You meet other Esperantists in a local cafe after the conferences. You ask for the menu, water, taste a typical dish and settle the bill.
You feel sick during the congress and need help. You ask where the hospital is, mention an allergy and call a doctor.
On the morning of departure, you warmly thank your host, settle your taxi to the station and buy your train ticket home.
What you need to know before travelling to a esperanto-speaking country.
The Esperanto movement cultivates a strong sense of belonging, nicknamed "samideanaro" (community of idea-sharers). Greeting another speaker in Esperanto creates an immediate connection, regardless of country of origin.
Pasporta Servo is a worldwide hospitality network reserving home stays for Esperantists. Register before leaving, it is one of the most beautiful ways to practise the language and meet the community.
Esperanto congresses (Universala Kongreso, JES, KEF, NASK) are unmissable gatherings. Everything happens in Esperanto: conferences, concerts, evenings, outings. No other language is used, it is the most immersive experience possible.
Esperanto is gender-neutral by design. The pronoun "ri" is used by some speakers to refer to a person of indeterminate gender. The community remains divided, but inclusive uses are progressing rapidly.
Esperanto uses six letters with a circumflex (ĉ, ĝ, ĥ, ĵ, ŝ) and one with a breve (ŭ). If your keyboard does not allow them, the "x" convention (cx, gx, hx, jx, sx, ux) or the "h" convention (ch, gh, hh, jh, sh, u) is used.
Stress always falls on the second-to-last syllable. Without exception. It is one of the most relaxing rules after dealing with the pitfalls of French or English.
The movement's motto is "Unu lingvo neniam sufiĉas" (one language is never enough). Esperanto is not designed to replace national languages but to serve as a neutral bridge between cultures. No community owns it.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Jes
yes
Yes
Ne
né
No
Dankon
DANN-konn
Thank you
Bonvolu
bon-VO-lou
Please
Pardonu
par-DO-nou
Sorry
Akvo
AK-vo
Water
Pano
PA-no
Bread
Hotelo
ho-TÉ-lo
Hotel
Flughaveno
floug-ha-VÉ-no
Airport
Hospitalo
hos-pi-TA-lo
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
All Targumi resources for this language.
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Guides, methods and tips to progress.
Essential words and phrases organised by themes.
Films, series, podcasts and music to immerse yourself.
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