awen
Pronunciation | /ˈa |
---|---|
Usage | 2023: Core (99% ↗︎ )2022: Core (98%) |
Book and era | nimi pu |
Part of speech | Content word |
Codepoint | U+F1908 |
awen is a core content word and preverb that describes staying, keeping, and continuing.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word awen is derived from Dutch houden, meaning "to keep, to care for".[1]
Semantic space[edit | edit source]
The semantic space of awen includes the continuation, maintaining, or immutability of a state or action. As an intransitive verb, awen usually refers to staying in place (waiting) or continuing to act (inertia).[2] Without further detail, this can possibly lead to ambiguity.
o awen lon tenpo sulio awen lon tenpo suli.
Stay for a long time.
Keep going for a long time.
This may be specified with a more complex predicate, such as awen tawa ("continue to go") or awen tawa ala ("continue to not go"). As a transitive verb, awen can mean to keep something in certain place or state. Abstractly, it refers to protect and defend something in order for it to remain secure and unharmed.
selo li awen e akesiselo li awen e akesi.
The shell protects the turtle.
mama li awen e jan onamama li awen e jan ona.
Parents take care their children.
Preverb[edit | edit source]
As a preverb, the word awen refers to the continuation of an action.
mi awen palimi awen pali.
I continue working.
kasi ko li awen lon lipukasi ko li awen lon lipu.
The pasted plants will stay on the page.
pu[edit | edit source]
In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines awen as:
ADJECTIVE enduring, kept, protected, safe, waiting, staying
PRE-VERB to continue to
ku[edit | edit source]
For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as awen:[3]
stay5, defensive2 , maintenance2 , rescue2 , stand2 , standing2 , steady2 , pause2 , custody2 , safely2 , saving2 , guard2 , reservation2 , suspend2 , hang2 , ongoing2 , hesitate2 , safety2 , delay2 , conservation2, await5 , wait5 , preserve5 , remain5 , sustain5 , retain4 , defend4 , endure4 , continued4 , continue4 , secure4 , continuing4 , save4 , protect4 , keep4 , still3 , reserve3 , protection3 , remaining3 , continuous3 , stability3 , maintain3 , safe3 , security3 , stable3 , constant3 , protective3 , defence3 , left (remaining)3
sitelen pona[edit | edit source]
The sitelen pona glyph for awen () represents two legs standing in place, feet turned outwards. Compare kama and tawa.
sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Word Origins. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Toki Pona.
- ↑ lipamanka. "toki pona dictionary". lipamanka.gay.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. pp. 203–204.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- "awen" on lipu Linku
- "awen" on lipu Wikipesija
- "awen" on English Wiktionary