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==Semantic space== |
==Semantic space== |
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The [[semantic space]] of {{tp|ala}} includes nothingness |
The [[semantic space]] of {{tp|ala}} includes {{w|Nothing|nothingness}} or the absence of anything. Modifying another word, it "reverses the semantic space" of it, that is, whatever the head word contains, the semantic space with {{tp|ala}} contains the inverse of it.<ref>{{cite lipamanka}}</ref> |
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{{Example |
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|<mark>ala</mark> li lon poki ni. |
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|There is <mark>nothing</mark> in the cup.<br/> |
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The cup is <mark>empty</mark>. |
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|<mark>ala </mark> li lon poki ni |
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As a [[transitive verb]], it may refer to causing to become nothing, such as removing or erasing. |
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{{Example |
{{Example |
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|o <mark>ala</mark> e toki ni. |
|o <mark>ala</mark> e toki ni. |
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|<mark>Delete</mark> this comment. |
|<mark>Delete</mark> this comment. |
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|o<mark>ala</mark>e toki ni |
|o <mark>ala </mark> e toki ni |
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==Function== |
==Function== |
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The word {{tp|ala}} as a [[particle]] is used to negate a word, phrase, or sentence. |
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{{Example |
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|soweli li wile <mark>ala</mark> e kili. |
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|The monkey <mark>does not</mark> want fruit. |
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|soweli li wile <mark>ala </mark> e kili |
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}} |
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===Tag questions=== |
===Tag questions=== |
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Revision as of 14:25, 16 February 2024
  | |
| Pronunciation | /ˈa |
|---|---|
| Usage | 2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%) |
| Book and era | nimi pu |
| Part of speech | Semiparticle, number, content word |
| Codepoint | U+F1902 |
| Part of a series on |
| Number systems |
nanpa (ordinal number marker)
|
| Simple system |
| Advanced system (list addends high → low) |
| Nonstandard number words |
ala is a core semiparticle used for negation and a content word relating to nothingness, as well as the number zero.
Etymology
The word ala is derived from Georgian არა (ara), meaning "no, not".[1]
Semantic space
The semantic space of ala includes nothingness or the absence of anything. Modifying another word, it "reverses the semantic space" of it, that is, whatever the head word contains, the semantic space with ala contains the inverse of it.[2]
ala li lon poki niala li lon poki ni.
There is nothing in the cup.
The cup is empty.
As a transitive verb, it may refer to causing to become nothing, such as removing or erasing.
o ala e toki nio ala e toki ni.
Delete this comment.
When used as a number, ala refers to the number zero.
pu
In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines ala as:
ADJECTIVE no, not, zero
ku
For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as ala:[3]
not5, none5, zero5, no5, nothing5, neither3, nor2, hardly2
Function
The word ala as a particle is used to negate a word, phrase, or sentence.
soweli li wile ala e kilisoweli li wile ala e kili.
The monkey does not want fruit.
Tag questions
The word ala is used to form a yes–no question, by repeating the main word in the predicate, with the it between the repetitions.
sina moku ala mokusina moku ala moku?
Do you eat? (literally, "you eat not/eat?")
sitelen pona
The sitelen pona glyph for ala () is a diagonal cross similar to the letter "X", a crosslinguistic symbol for negation and, in sports, failure. The glyph is sometimes used as an extended glyph {ijo}ala(ijo) that continues below the repeated word.
ona li {pona}ala(pona) tawa sinaona li pona ala pona tawa sina?
sitelen sitelen
The sitelen sitelen glyph for ala represents an X cross inside a square.
References
- ↑ "Word Origins". tokipona.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2002.
- ↑ lipamanka. "toki pona dictionary". lipamanka.gay.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 199.
Further reading
- "ala" on lipu Linku
- "ala" on lipu Wikipesija
- "ala" on English Wiktionary