en: Difference between revisions

{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with [[And]].}}

'''{{tp|en}}''' is a [[particle]] used to introduce multiple subjects to a single sentence. Despite common misconception from learners, the word {{tp|en}} does not mean "[[and]]", which is instead implied with the repetition of any particle or preposition.

==Function==

{{tp|en}} is a {{w|Subject (grammar)|subject}} marker particle, similar to how {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}} are {{w|Predicate (grammar)|predicate}} and {{w|Object (grammar)|direct object)}} marker particles, respectively. However, with {{tp|en}}, the first subject is always unmarked, thus it only appears between multiple subjects.

{{Example

| mi en sina li pali e pan

| I and you bake bread.

}}

{{Example

| jan en soweli li tawa lon ma kasi

| Someone is walking their dog in the woods.

}}

==History==

===Historical use===

The function of the particle {{tp|en}} has changed throughout the development of Toki Pona. [[Sonja Lang]] first defined it as such in a forum post from 2002, in the section called "Early Toki Pona":<ref name="lang2002">[[Sonja Lang|Lang, Sonja]] (27 October 2002). [http://forums.tokipona.org/viewtopic.php?t=81 The words "en", "kin", and "kan"]. ''Toki Pona Forums''. Retrieved 10 October 2023.</ref>

"{{tok|en}}" divided between modifiers = and

: {{tok|jan pona en suli}} = good and tall person

: {{tok|en kon lete en suno}} = the north wind and the sun

In the original documentation, {{tp|en}} is used both to separate modifiers and to seperate the nouns of a subject. This use was also documented in the original toki pona lessons by {{tok|[[jan Pije]]}}.<ref>[[Bryant Knight|Knight, Bryant]] ({{tok|jan Pije}}). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090821024459/http://bknight0.myweb.uga.edu/toki/about/lesson/tp5.html Lesson 5]. Archived from the original in 21 August 2009. ''{{tp|lipu pi jan Pije}}''. Retrieved 10 October 2022.</ref>

===Current use===

In 2002, Lang also proposed the following reforms, restricing {{tp|en}} to the subject of the sentence, as well as establishing the use of {{tp|[[kin]]}} and removing {{tp|[[kan]]}}:<ref name="lang2002"/>

"en" is now used to divide between head nouns. […] There is no longer a way to divide between modifiers. This is no longer necessary. A "tall and good" person is simply a tall "good person" or a good "tall person", as you will.

This reform was accepted unanimously by the online community by 1 November 2002.<ref>tokipona@yahoogroups.com (1 November 2002). [http://forums.tokipona.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=17&p=220#p220 Poll results for tokipona]. ''Toki Pona Forums''.</ref>

==See also==

* {{tp|[[nasin kijetesantakalu]]}}

==References==

<references/>

==External links==

===Resources===

* {{pu|en}}: Lesson 16

* jan Lentan: [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/5.html Lesson 5]

* soweli Tesa: [https://sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/19 Lesson 19]