(_a_).--In words like infano = _child_, persono = _person_, individuo = _individual_, etc., the sex is not revealed; neither is it in the general name of an animal, as:--leono = _a lion_, hundo = _a dog_, birdo = _a bird_, etc., unless we add the feminine suffix -ino. In all such cases, when we do not know the sex, we use the pronoun ĝi. If, however, the sex is known, and we wish to demonstrate it, we can use the pronouns li or ŝi respectively. Zamenhof advises the use of li and ŝi for human beings only, and of ĝi for all other animals, even when the sex of the animal is known and indicated; the use of li or ŝi in such cases is nevertheless legitimate if desired.
Examples.--_La infano forkuris, kiam mi parolis al ĝi_ (or _li_ if we know the sex) = The child ran away when I spoke to it. _Tio estas bela ĉevalino, ĝi_ (or, _ŝi_) _trotas bone_ = That is a fine mare, she trots well. _Se iu vizitos min dum mi forestas, diru al ĝi, ke ĝi revenu morgaŭ_ = If anyone (someone) should call upon (visit) me whilst I am away, tell him or her (it) to come again to-morrow.[15]
[15] This use of _ĝi_ for a person is not recommended, and _li_ (or _tiu_) would be better in a case where there is doubt as to the sex.
127. The word mem = _self_ or _selves_ is sometimes used with a personal pronoun or noun to give emphasis.
Examples.--_Mi mem ĝin vidis_ = I myself saw it. _Ni mem ĝin trovis_, or, _Ni ĝin trovis mem_ = We found it ourselves. _Vi venu mem_ = Come yourself. _Ŝi mem parolos_ = She herself will speak. _Li mem respondu_ = Let him answer (for) himself. _La virinoj venu mem_ = Let the women come themselves.
128. Si is a reflexive pronoun of the 3rd person, and therefore cannot refer to the pronouns of the 1st and 2nd persons.[16] We cannot say _Mi lavas sin_, or _Ni_, or _Vi lavas sin_, for "I wash myself," "We wash ourselves," "You wash yourself." We must, in each of these cases, use the pronoun which is the subject of the verb, as:--Mi lavas min--Ni lavas nin--_Vi lavas vin_ = _I wash myself_--_We wash ourselves_--_You wash yourself_ (or if vi = _you_ is plural), _You wash yourselves_. Si, therefore, is used for the 3rd person, singular or plural, when it refers to the _subject_ of the verb. It takes the accusative termination _N_ when necessary, and then represents "_himself_, _herself_, _itself_, _oneself_, _themselves_."