Antonyms: Difference between revisions

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'''~~{{wp|Antonym}}s~~''' are words with opposite meanings, ~~like~~ {{tp|pona}} and {{tp|ike}}, and are the opposite of [[synonym]]s. In some logographic [[writing system]]s, ~~like~~ {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}}, some antonyms also use opposite glyphs.

'''Antonyms''' are words with opposite meanings, such as {{tp|pona}} and {{tp|ike}}, and are the opposite of [[synonym]]s. In some logographic [[writing system]]s, such as {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}}, some antonyms also use opposite glyphs. Antonyms provide a sense of balance, not implying either concept to be the default or proper state of being.

If [[Toki Pona]] were more dedicated to [[minimalism]], antonyms might have been merged to further reduce the vocabulary. Instead, many of these words have different [[semantic space]]s or parts of speech. For example:

If Toki Pona were more dedicated to [[minimalism]], antonyms might have been merged to further reduce the vocabulary. Instead, many of these words have different [[semantic space]]s or parts of speech. For example:

* {{tp|pimeja}} could be thought of as antonyms with {{tp|suno}} and {{tp|walo}}, even though those are not synonyms with each other.

* {{tp|sama}} can be used as a [[preposition]], while its antonym {{tp|ante}} cannot.

* {{tp|tawa}} can be a preposition, while {{tp|[[kama]]}} can be a [[~~pre-verb~~]].

* {{tp|tawa}} can be a preposition, while {{tp|kama}} can be a [[preverb]].

* In [[time]] phrases, {{tp|pini}} is [[Common lexicalizations|often]] antonyms with {{tp|kama}} instead of with {{tp|open}}.

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Some antonyms are "contradictory" when used at the same time; {{tp|jan pona ike}} is an example from {{tp|[[lipu pu]]}}. Other antonyms have less paradoxical interpretations. {{tp|moku seli lete}} could be read as the contradiction "cold hot food" or "raw cooked food", but could also mean "[re]frozen cooked food".

Antonyms also provide a sense of balance, not implying either concept to be the default or proper state of being.

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{{tp|[[ala]]}} may be used as a [[modifier]] to vaguely form an opposite. In one [[context]], {{tp|ike ala}} could mean {{tp|pona}}, while in another, the speaker could simply feel neutral. More rarely, {{tp|jasima}}, a {{tp|[[nimi ku suli]]}}, is used for true "negative" opposites ({{tp|jasima ijo ≠ ijo ala}}), leaving {{tp|ala}} to specify "absence of" opposites.

⚫

Some antonyms are "contradictory" when used at the same time; {{tp|jan pona ike}} is an example from ''[[lipu pu]]''. Other antonyms have less paradoxical interpretations. {{tp|moku seli lete}} could be read as the contradiction "cold hot food" or "raw cooked food", but could also mean "[re]frozen cooked food".

⚫

{{tp|[[ala]]}} may be used as a [[modifier]] to ~~<em>~~vaguely~~</em>~~ form an opposite. In one [[context]], {{tp|ike ala}} could mean {{tp|pona}}, while in another, the speaker could simply feel neutral. More rarely, {{tp|jasima}}, a {{tp|[[nimi ku suli]]}}, is used for true "negative" opposites ({{tp|jasima ijo ≠ ijo ala}}), leaving {{tp|ala}} to specify "absence of" opposites.

[[Category:Words]]