Used like and in English. When used with a list of items, use kaj normally only before the last one
A, B, C, kaj D A, B, C, and D
Used when the and is rather emphatic
kaj A kaj B kaj C both A and B and C
Used like or in English. When used with a list of items, use aŭ normally only before the last one
A, B, C, aŭ D A, B, C, or D
aŭ A aŭ B either A or B
Used like kaj, but emphasizes a contrast.
Liaj gepatroj estis riĉaj, sed honestaj. His parents were rich, but honest.
minus
minus
Used generally in mathematical expressions
Tri plus du estas kvin 3 + 2 = 5
Ok minus kvin estas tri 8 − 5 = 3
Plus kvindek gradoj +50°
Minus dek gradoj −10°
Used generally after a negation, to negate something else as well, and sometimes to mean and not
Li ne trinkis vinon, nek bieron. He didn't drink wine, or beer either.
Akvo, akvo ĉie ajn, nek iu gut’ por trinki. Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.
Used to negate a list of items
nek A nek B nek C neither A nor B nor C
Used for marking that a dependent clause states a condition that the main clause depends on; if the situation is hypothetical, the verbs in both clauses are conditional
Se vi iros al la teatro, mi iros ankaŭ. If you go to the theater, I’ll go, too.
Se mi havus monon, mi aĉetus tiun libron. If I had money, I’d buy that book.
The general subordinating conjunction, used to cause an entire clause to be treated as a noun phrase
Mi scias, ke li jam venis. I know that he has already come.
The interrogative subordinating conjunction, used to indicate an indirect question
Mi volus scii, ĉu li venos. I would like to know whether he will come.
Li promenadis, kvazaŭ lia piedo estus rompita. He walked as though his foot were broken.
Same meaning as tial “therefore” but a bit weaker
Mi malsatas, do mi manĝos. I’m hungry, so I’ll eat.
