# Lojban/Vocatives

| jbovla | English | -cu'i | -nai | brivla |
| coi | greeting | | | |
| do'u | (terminates vocative) | | | |
| doi | (vocative director) | | | |
| co'o | parting | | | |
| ju'i | attention | at ease | ignore me/us | jundi |
| nu'e | promise | release promise | non-promise | nupre |
| ta'a | interruption | | | tavla |
| pe'u | request | | | cpedu |
| ki'e | appreciation/gratitude | | disappreciation/ingratitude | ckire |
| fi'i | welcome | | unwelcome/inhospitality | friti |
| be'e | request to send | | | benji |
| re'i | ready to receive | | not ready | bredi |
| mu'o | completed message | | more to follow | mulno |
| je'e | confirm success | | unsuccessful receipt | jimpe |
| vi'o | will comply | | will not comply | |
| ke'o | please repeat | | no repeat needed | krefu |
| fe'o | end communication | | not done | fanmo |
| mi'e | self-identification | | non-identification | mi |
| y | pause | | | |
Since {ki'e} means approximately "Thank you," it might seem appropriate to respond by saying {fi'i}, seemingly corresponding to the English "You're welcome." However, {fi'i} means "welcome" in the sense of an invitation/acceptance only. In order to respond, {je'e} should be used.
{coi co'o} means "Greetings in passing." English speakers generally just say "Hi."
"ju'i" can be used as an attention-grabber such as the first word in each of the following utterances (if they started a conversation): "Attention, all shoppers", "So, I just got back from my date with Ryan", "Lo! Listen to the news which I bring". This is the function of the very first word of Beowulf. It can also return an audience's attention to the speaker/discussion, such as with some usages of "ahem", clearing the throat, or wrapping on a desk.

## Exercises

In Exercises 1-7, give the most suitable Lojban word(s) to say in each situation.
01. The beginning of a conversation. 02. Begging. 03. During an oath. 04. Inviting a guest into your house. 05. Getting a group of people to listen to your announcement. 06. You desire the floor while someone else has it. 07. Leaving a party.
In Exercises 8-43, give the closest Lojban translation of the English sentences.
08. Attention! 09. Listen to me, Victoria. 10. I swear, Benjamin. 11. I don't understand, Christian. 12. I am Pete. 13. Goodbye, Jonathan. 14. Roger, Logan. 15. Wilco. 16. Hello, Rodrigo. 17. Hi, Bertand. 18. Wait! We're not done discussing this! 19. Hark! 20. Agreed. 21. Can I say something, Jose? 22. Just a minute, Jennifer. 23. I'm not done talking, Morgan. 24. Please, Sydney. 25. Over and out. 26. I appreciate that, Chloe. 27. Make yourself at home, Rachel. 28. May I speak, Jasmine? 29. Sorry for interrupting, Sophia, but... 30. I promise, Megan. 31. Thanks, Samuel. 32. Hold on, Nathan. 33. What did you say, Natalie? 34. I interrupt. 35. Greetings, Justin. 36. Uh-huh. 37. Thank you, Dylan. 38. At your service, Austin. 39. I'm listening, Kevin. 40. I understand, Julia. 41. "Houston, we have a problem." 42. Hello! Susan has just left Harold. 43. Hello, Susan! Harold has just left.

## Answers to exercises

01. coi 02. pe'u 03. nu'e 04. fi'i 05. ju'i 06. ta'a 07. co'o
08. ju'i 09. ju'i. vektarias. 10. nu'e. bendjamen. 11. je'enai. krestien. 12. mi'e. pit. 13. co'o. janaten. 14. je'e. logen. 15. vi'o 16. coi. radrigos. 17. coi. bertrend. 18. fe'onai 19. ju'i 20. vi'o 21. be'e. xozeis. 22. re'inai. djenefer. 23. mu'onai. morgen. 24. pe'u. sednis. 25. fe'o 26. ki'e. clos. 27. fi'i. reitcel. 28. be'e. djezmen. 29. ta'a. sofias. 30. nu'e. meigen. 31. ki'e. semiul. 32. re'inai. neitan. 33. ke'o. netalis. 34. ta'a 35. coi. jesten. 36. je'e 37. ki'e. delen. 38. fi'i. .asten. 39. re'i. keven. 40. je'e. djulias. 41. doi xustyn. mi'a se nabmi 42. coi do'u la suzyn. la xeirold. puzi cliva 43. coi la suzyn. la xeirold. puzi cliva

## External links

* Lojban reference Grammar Chapter 13: Oooh! Arrgh! Ugh! Yecch! Attitudinal and Emotional Indicators - Despite the title, also discusses vocatives.
* Lojban for Beginners Chapter 12 Lesson 3: Vocatives