Phatic expressions and social conventions

A phatic expression is a word or phrase that serves a social function instead of sharing information. English phatic expressions include "hello", "thank you", and "I'm sorry".

Toki Pona has very few phatic expressions, and actively tries to avoid them in favor of more explicit and context-specific expressions. Because phatic phrases are automatic, not only would they be a form of lexicalization, but they would ring hollow. Instead, experimentation is encouraged.

Politeness

Toki Pona is often described as "polite by default", because it has no modes of speech that automatically relay politeness. But a better description is that it's sincere by default. Speakers are expected to say what they mean and mean what they say. Being direct, clear, and sincere is what constitutes polite speech. Toki Pona is already vague, and when that's combined with phrases that talk around an idea rather than describe it honestly, it can cause confusion. Indirect or euphemistic speech becomes even more unclear.

Specific expressions

Greeting

An interjection often used for greeting is toki. This works especially well to begin a conversation. However, other phrases and sentences may work as well or better in different circumstances. Here are some examples:

• Joining an existing group or conversation:

  mi lon

  I exist

• Reacting to someone joining:

  sina lon

  You exist

• Signaling your presence:

  mu

• When other people go mu:

  mu

• Getting people's attention:

  sina o, or [name] o if known

  "Hey you"

• No situation requires a greeting, so just jumping into the conversation is valid.

In practice, greetings tend to not be about the time of the day.

A good conversation starter is sina seme?. This works for "who are you?", "how are you?", "what are you doing?", "what have you been up to?", and more. Unlike in English, where you must reply to "how are you?" with "fine" even if you aren't fine, sina seme? is meant literally. Expect a real, detailed answer if you use it, and feel free to give one if you are asked.

Parting

When you are leaving a conversation, you can indicate this by describing what you are doing that will stop you from talking further. Some examples:

• Leaving for somewhere else:

  mi tawa

  I go

• Taking a break or going to bed:

  mi lape

  I sleep

• Beginning or resuming work:

  mi pali

  I work

• Noticing that you should be getting food:

  mi o moku

  I should eat

• When your game starts:

  musi mi li open

  My game started

• You can also just depart.

Often, others will respond to this indication with a related well-wishing—tawa pona, lape pona, etc.—or with a general one.

Well-wishing

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Gratitude and compliments

Often, the best way to express gratitude is by literally stating what you are thankful for. For example:

• For someone's teaching:

  sina pona tan pana sona.

  You are good because of giving of knowledge.

• That someone gave a present:

  sina pana e ijo pona la sina pona

  You gave something good so you are good.

A useful mindset to employ here is specific positive feedback. Vague praise is easily doubted or deflected as a platitude. You can give specific details to convince the other person that they are worthy of your compliment.

There are some common short phrases that can roughly correspond to "thanks". These include pona, sina pona, and pona tawa sina. Respectively, these mean "good", "you are good", and "goodness to you" (similar to "peace be with you").

Sorries

In English, "sorry" is used for multiple social functions. You can use it to apologize, but also to express sympathy with someone else's misfortune. Toki Pona has nothing that combines these meanings. Instead, you would express the idea more directly.

Expressing sympathy

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Apologizing for small or insignificant errors

A common way is to recognize or mention your mistake, such as:

pakala mi!

My mistake! / My bad!

a, mi pakala!

Oh, I made a mistake!

You can emphasize this by specifying what your mistake was:

a, jan pona mi o, mi pakala (tan) ni: [reason]. pona o tawa sina.

Oh, my friend, I made this mistake / messed up because of this: [reason]. May goodness go to you.

"True" apologies

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pu phrase book

Toki Pona: The Language of Good includes a "Phrase Book" section with some possible expressions for quick reference.

toki	hello!
pona	great, thanks, OK
pona tawa sina	peace be with you
mi tawa	bye (said by person leaving)
tawa pona	bye (said by person staying)
mi wile (e ni)	please, I would like
ale li pona	all is well, life is good, don’t worry
ike a	oh dear, oh my
lape pona	good night
kama pona	welcome
moku pona	enjoy your meal
seme li sin?	what's new?
sina pilin seme?	how are you feeling?
a a a!	ha ha ha!
mi kama sona e toki pona	I’m learning Toki Pona
sina pona	you’re cool, I like you
mi olin e sina	I love you
tomo telo li lon seme?	where is the washroom?