lawa

From sona pona, the Toki Pona wiki
(Redirected from 󱤤)
lawa in sitelen pona
lawa in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /ˈla.wa/
Usage 2024: Core (100% ↗︎ )2023: Core (99% → )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Content word
Codepoint 󱤤 U+F1924

lawa is a core content word relating to the head and mind, and to parts controlling the whole.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word lawa is derived from Serbo-Croatian gláva ("head").[2]

Semantic space[edit | edit source]

The semantic space of lawa includes the head and the abstract concept of the mind. When used figuratively, lawa refers to a part which controls the whole, as well the act or instance of controlling.[1] Compare the other senses of the English word head, as in head of the department or to head a project.

jan lawa li wawa

jan lawa li wawa.

The leader is powerful.

lawa mi li lawa e mi

lawa mi li lawa e mi.

My head controls me.

According to the monsutatesu, the word lawa when used as a transitive verb can have two opposite definitions: "to control (something)" and "to put (something) in charge". This was first noted by ike Pike before 2021.[3]

pu[edit | edit source]

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines lawa as:

NOUN  head, mind
VERB  to control, direct, guide, lead, own, plan, regulate, rule

ku[edit | edit source]

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as lawa:[4]

govern5, head5, authority4, control4, ruling4, regulatory4, leading4, manage4, administrative4, leadership4, rule3, law3, lead3, management3, legal3, enforce3, oversee3, judicial3, mind3, conduct3, official3, regulate3, brain3, policy3, administer3, regulation2, executive2, cognitive2, guide2, drive2, mandate2, ownership2, administration2, government2, command2, dominate2, psychological2, institutional2, legislation2, jurisdiction2, main2, regime2

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

The sitelen pona glyph for lawa (󱤤) depicts a head wearing a cap, usually drawn with the brim facing the right.

sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]

Under construction: This section is empty. You can help us by adding to it.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 lipamanka. "toki pona dictionary". lipamanka.gay.
  2. Moniz, C. Ryan (jan inwin); van der Meulen, Spencer H. (jan Pensa); lipamanka. (8 October 2020). "nimi ale pona (2nd ed.)". Google Docs. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. kala pona Tonyu. (29 January 2021). "monsutatesu". lipu kule.
  4. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. pp. 261–262.

Further reading[edit | edit source]