# Nature words in Esperanto: tree, river, mountain, sky

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/nature/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> A tree is arbo, a river rivero, a mountain monto: Esperanto nature words with pronunciation, plus how -ar-, -et- and -ej- build forest, stream and meadow.

In Esperanto a tree is ***arbo***, a river ***rivero***, a mountain ***monto***, a flower ***floro*** and the sun ***suno***. Nature words are ordinary nouns ending in *-o*, and a few word parts multiply them: *arbo* plus *-ar-* gives *arbaro* "forest", and *rivero* plus *-et-* gives *rivereto* "stream". Pronunciation guides show the stressed syllable in capitals; it is always the second-to-last (see the [alphabet](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/alphabet/)).

## Landscape and water

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| nature | *naturo* | na-TU-ro |
| landscape, scenery | *pejzaĝo* | pej-ZA-ĝo |
| mountain | *monto* | MON-to |
| mountain range | *montaro* | mon-TA-ro |
| hill | *monteto*, *altaĵo* | mon-TE-to, al-TA-ĵo |
| volcano | *vulkano* | vul-KA-no |
| valley | *valo* | VA-lo |
| plain | *ebenaĵo* | e-be-NA-ĵo |
| field | *kampo* | KAM-po |
| meadow | *herbejo* | her-BE-jo |
| forest | *arbaro* | ar-BA-ro |
| jungle | *ĝangalo* | ĝan-GA-lo |
| desert | *dezerto* | de-ZER-to |
| marsh, swamp | *marĉo* | MAR-ĉo |
| path | *pado* | PA-do |
| river | *rivero* | ri-VE-ro |
| stream | *rivereto* | ri-ve-RE-to |
| spring (of water) | *fonto* | FON-to |
| waterfall | *akvofalo* | ak-vo-FA-lo |
| lake | *lago* | LA-go |
| sea | *maro* | MA-ro |
| ocean | *oceano* | o-ce-A-no |
| coast, seashore | *marbordo* | mar-BOR-do |
| beach | *plaĝo* | PLA-ĝo |
| sand | *sablo* | SA-blo |
| island | *insulo* | in-SU-lo |
| archipelago | *insularo* | in-su-LA-ro |
| glacier | *glaĉero* | gla-ĈE-ro |
| rock | *roko* | RO-ko |

ReVo defines *monteto* as a low, small mountain, usually with a flat or round top, and *altaĵo* as a place raised well above the normal ground level. A *kampo* is first of all level land that is cultivated or can be, and a *herbejo* is where wild or cultivated grass grows. A *marĉo* is muddy ground under shallow, still water, and a *pado* is an unpaved track worn by walkers, riders or cyclists. 

## Plants and trees

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| tree | *arbo* | AR-bo |
| shrub, bush | *arbusto* | ar-BUS-to |
| flower | *floro* | FLO-ro |
| grass | *herbo* | HER-bo |
| leaf | *folio* | fo-LI-o |
| branch | *branĉo* | BRAN-ĉo |
| trunk | *trunko* | TRUN-ko |
| root | *radiko* | ra-DI-ko |
| bud | *burĝono* | bur-ĜO-no |
| seed | *semo* | SE-mo |
| fruit | *frukto* | FRUK-to |
| plant | *vegetaĵo*, *kreskaĵo* | ve-ge-TA-ĵo, kres-KA-ĵo |
| moss | *musko* | MUS-ko |
| mushroom | *fungo* | FUN-go |
| rose | *rozo* | RO-zo |
| oak | *kverko* | KVER-ko |
| pine | *pino* | PI-no |
| birch | *betulo* | be-TU-lo |
| willow | *saliko* | sa-LI-ko |
| apple tree | *pomarbo*, *pomujo* | po-MAR-bo, po-MU-jo |

ReVo defines *arbo* as a woody perennial plant with a tall trunk that branches at the top, and *arbusto* as one that branches from the base. A tree can be named after its fruit: ReVo says the tree on which apples grow is a *pomujo* or *pomarbo*. *Kreskaĵo* "a thing that grows" is a synonym of *vegetaĵo*. Animals have their own page: see [animals](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/animals/).

## Sky, sun and the elements

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| sky | *ĉielo* | ĉi-E-lo |
| sun | *suno* | SU-no |
| moon | *luno* | LU-no |
| star | *stelo* | STE-lo |
| cloud | *nubo* | NU-bo |
| horizon | *horizonto* | ho-ri-ZON-to |
| earth, ground, soil | *tero* | TE-ro |
| water | *akvo* | AK-vo |
| fire | *fajro* | FAJ-ro |
| air | *aero* | a-E-ro |
| dawn | *aŭroro* | aŭ-RO-ro |
| twilight, dusk | *krepusko* | kre-PUS-ko |
| sunrise | *sunleviĝo* | sun-le-VI-ĝo |
| sunset | *sunsubiro* | sun-su-BI-ro |
| sunshine | *sunbrilo* | sun-BRI-lo |
| rainbow | *ĉielarko* | ĉi-e-LAR-ko |

*Tero* covers three things: the planet, solid ground (as opposed to water) and soil. For the planet as a whole ReVo adds *terglobo* "the globe of the Earth". *Aŭroro* is the morning twilight, *krepusko* the faint light after sunset or before sunrise. Rain, snow, wind and the seasons are on the [weather and seasons](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/weather-seasons/) page.

## How are nature words built?

| Word part | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| *-ar-* | a group of many similar things | *arbaro* forest, *montaro* mountain range, *insularo* archipelago, *stelaro* star pattern, *foliaro* foliage |
| *-et-* | small, weak | *monteto* hill, *rivereto* stream, *lageto* small lake, *arbeto* small tree |
| *-eg-* | big, strong | *riverego* big, strong river, *ŝtonego* huge, immovable stone, *ventego* gale |
| *-ej-* | place | *herbejo* meadow, *glaciejo* glacier (PMEG: roughly *glaĉero*), *promenejo* promenade, *sablejo* sandy place |
| *-aĵ-* | a concrete thing | *altaĵo* high ground, *ebenaĵo* plain, *kreskaĵo* plant |
| *sen-* | without | *sennuba* cloudless, *senakva* waterless |
| *pra-* | primeval | *praarbaro* primeval forest |

PMEG uses *arbo* → *arbaro* as an example of *-ar-*, and says *-ej-* can also mark a natural place where something abounds: *herbejo*, *sablejo*, *glaciejo*. More in [suffixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/) and [prefixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/prefixes/).

## Opposites and compounds

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| high, low | *alta*, *malalta* | AL-ta, mal-AL-ta |
| deep, shallow | *profunda*, *malprofunda* | pro-FUN-da, mal-pro-FUN-da |
| wide, narrow | *larĝa*, *mallarĝa* | LAR-ĝa, mal-LAR-ĝa |
| long, short | *longa*, *mallonga* | LON-ga, mal-LON-ga |
| near, far | *proksima*, *malproksima* | prok-SI-ma, mal-prok-SI-ma |
| dry, wet | *seka*, *malseka* | SE-ka, mal-SE-ka |
| to rise, to sink | *leviĝi*, *malleviĝi* | le-VI-ĝi, mal-le-VI-ĝi |

The prefix *mal-* gives opposites, and many nature words are compounds with the main word last: *akvofalo* is "water-fall", *sunleviĝo* "sun-rising", *sunsubiro* "sun-going-under", *ĉielarko* "sky-arch", *marbordo* "sea-edge", *sunbrilo* "sun-shine" and *pluvarbaro* "rain-forest". *Akvofalo* has a linking *-o-* and *sunleviĝo* has none; see [word building](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/word-building/) for when to use it.

## Verbs for nature

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| to grow (plants, living things) | *kreski* | KRES-ki |
| to bloom | *flori* | FLO-ri |
| to start blooming | *ekflori* | ek-FLO-ri |
| to sprout | *ĝermi* | ĜER-mi |
| to flow | *flui* | FLU-i |
| to shine | *brili* | BRI-li |
| to rise (sun, moon) | *leviĝi* | le-VI-ĝi |
| to set (sun, moon) | *subiri* | su-BI-ri |
| to blow (wind) | *blovi* | BLO-vi |
| to fall | *fali* | FA-li |
| to dry up | *sekiĝi* | se-KI-ĝi |
| to turn red | *ruĝiĝi* | ru-ĜI-ĝi |

*Kreski* takes no object. To grow something yourself, use *kultivi* "to cultivate": *Mi kultivas florojn* "I grow flowers". ReVo defines *flori* as bearing flowers, and *subiri* said of the sun and stars as going below the horizon.

For a trip outdoors you need a few more verbs: *promeni* "to stroll, walk", *piediri* "to go on foot", *ekskursi* "to go on an excursion", *grimpi* "to climb", *tendumi* "to camp (to live in a tent)", *naĝi* "to swim" and *ripozi* "to rest". See also [travel phrases](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/travel/).

## Nature in sentences

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Ni promenis en la arbaro.* | We walked in the forest. |
| *Ni iris en la arbaron.* | We went into the forest. |
| *La rivero fluas al la maro.* | The river flows to the sea. |
| *Ni tendumis apud la lago.* | We camped by the lake. |
| *Kiom alta estas tiu monto?* | How high is that mountain? |
| *La lago estas profunda, sed la rivero estas malprofunda.* | The lake is deep, but the river is shallow. |
| *Printempe la arboj ekfloras kaj la herbo kreskas.* | In spring the trees start to bloom and the grass grows. |
| *Vespere la suno subiras kaj la ĉielo ruĝiĝas.* | In the evening the sun sets and the sky turns red. |
| *Nokte la luno brilas, kaj ni vidas multajn stelojn.* | At night the moon shines and we see many stars. |
| *Mi ŝatas promeni en la naturo.* | I like walking in nature. |

Compare the first two sentences. *En la arbaro* names where the walking happens, while *en la arbaron*, with the [accusative *-n*](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/accusative/), shows movement into the forest (PMEG). The word *al* already shows direction, so *al la maro* takes no *-n*.

## Common questions

### How do you say "tree" in Esperanto?

*Arbo*, plural *arboj*. Many trees together are an *arbaro* "forest", and a small tree is an *arbeto*. An apple tree is a *pomarbo* or *pomujo*.

### How do you say "nature" in Esperanto?

*Naturo*. The adjective is *natura* "natural", and *sovaĝa* means wild, close to nature.

### How do you say "forest" in Esperanto?

*Arbaro*, from *arbo* "tree" plus *-ar-* "a group of many". A primeval forest is a *praarbaro*, and a dense tropical one a *ĝangalo* or *pluvarbaro*.

### How do you say "earth" in Esperanto?

*Tero* means the planet, solid ground and soil. The planet as a globe is also *terglobo*.

### How do you say "sunrise" and "sunset" in Esperanto?

*Sunleviĝo* and *sunsubiro*. As verbs, say *La suno leviĝas* "The sun rises" and *La suno subiras* "The sun sets".

## Sources

- [PMEG: AR (arbo → arbaro)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ar.html), [ET](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/et.html), [EG](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/eg.html), [EJ (herbejo, sablejo, glaciejo, promenejo)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ej.html)
- [PMEG: N por direkto](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/rolmontriloj/n/direkto.html)
- [ReVo: monto, montaro, monteto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mont.html), [valo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/val.html), [rivero, rivereto, riverego](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/river.html), [lago, lageto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lag.html), [maro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mar.html), [insulo, insularo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/insul.html)
- [ReVo: arbo, arbaro, arbeto, praarbaro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/arb.html), [arbusto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/arbust.html), [pomujo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pom.html), [kampo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kamp.html), [herbo, herbejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/herb.html), [dezerto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/dezert.html), [plaĝo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/plagx.html)
- [ReVo: marĉo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/marcx.html), [ĝangalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gxanga.html), [pado](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pad.html), [fonto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/font.html), [sablo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sabl.html), [glaĉero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/glacxer.html), [glaciejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/glaci.html)
- [ReVo: folio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/foli.html), [branĉo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/brancx.html), [radiko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/radik.html), [kverko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kverk.html), [pino](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pin.html), [rozo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/roz.html), [betulo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/betul.html), [saliko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/salik.html)
- [ReVo: suno, sunsubiro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sun.html), [luno](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lun.html), [stelo, stelaro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/stel.html), [ĉielo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxiel1.html), [nubo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/nub.html), [tero, terglobo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ter.html), [aŭroro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/auxror.html), [krepusko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/krepus.html), [sunleviĝo, leviĝi, malleviĝi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lev.html), [akvofalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fal.html)
- [ReVo: kreski, kreskaĵo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kresk.html), [flori](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/flor.html), [flui](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/flu.html), [brili, sunbrilo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/bril.html), [subiri](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ir.html), [kultivi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kultiv.html)
- [Wiktionary (English)](https://en.wiktionary.org/), CC BY-SA 4.0, used to check the meanings of *tero*, *herbejo*, *marĉo* and others