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''{{tp|li''}} is a [[:Category:Particles|particle]] in Toki Pona that separates the subject from the rest of the sentence.
 
== Function of ''{{tp|li''}} ==
''{{tp|li''}} separates the subject from the predicate. The predicate can be a verb (with or without object), a noun, an adjective, or a prepositional phrase. It is omitted when the subject is ''{{tp|mi''}} or ''{{tp|sina''}} alone.
; {{Example|ona li moku. : |They eat.}}▼
; {{Example|soweli li suwi. : |The dog is cute.}}▼
▲; ona li moku. : They eat.
; {{Example|kili li moku. : |Fruits are food.}}▼
▲; soweli li suwi. : The dog is cute.
; {{Example|mi tawa tomo. : |I'm going home.}}▼
▲; kili li moku. : Fruits are food.
; {{Example|sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa. : |You and I watch a movie.}}▼
▲; mi tawa tomo. : I'm going home.
▲; sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa. : You and I watch a movie.
 
== Multiple predicates ==
Typically, ''{{tp|li''}} is repeated when multiple predicates apply to the same subject.
; {{Example|ona li kama li tawa. : |They come and go.}}▼
 
{{pu}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to ''{{tp|mi''}} or ''{{tp|sina''}}, a new sentence should start.<ref>[[pu]] p. 56</ref>▼
▲; ona li kama li tawa. : They come and go.
; {{Example|mi toki. mi moku. : |I speak and eat.}}▼
 
Some speakers use a second ''{{tp|li''}} in this case. This is referred to as "extended ''{{tp|li''}} style" in [[ku]].▼
▲{{pu}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to ''mi'' or ''sina'', a new sentence should start.<ref>[[pu]] p. 56</ref>
; {{Example|mi moku li toki.: |I eat and speak.}}▼
 
A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether ''{{tp|toki''}} is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of ''{{tp|mi''}}.▼
▲; mi toki. mi moku. : I speak and eat.
; {{Example|mi moku li toki.: |The food-related me is talking.}}▼
 
▲Some speakers use a second ''li'' in this case. This is referred to as "extended ''li'' style" in [[ku]].
 
▲; mi moku li toki.: I eat and speak.
▲A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether ''toki'' is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of ''mi''.
 
▲; mi moku li toki.: The food-related me is talking.
 
== Etymology ==
The Toki Pona particle ''{{tp|li''}} is from the Esperanto third-person singular pronoun "li."<ref>[https://archive.ph/i4Psx toki pona Etymological Dictionary]</ref>
 
== References ==
Line 36 ⟶ 32:
 
== External resources ==
* {{tp|[[pu]]}} Lessons 2 through 5.
* [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/ {{tok|jan Lentan}} Lessons 1-4]
* [https://jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/basic-sentences/ {{tok|sitelen sitelen}} Basic Sentences]
* [https://sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/2 {{tok|soweli Tesa}} Lesson 2]
* [https://github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-li {{tok|nasin toki pona}}]
* [https://mun.la/sona/li.html {{tok|jan Kekan San}} Actions with {{tok|li}}]
{{Words}}
Retrieved from "https://sona.pona.la/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/3024"
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