ken

ken
Pronunciation	/ken/ (listen)
Usage	2023: Core (100% ↗ ) 2022: Core (99%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Content word, preverb
Codepoint	󱤘 U+F1918

ken is a core content word and preverb relating to abilities and possibilities.

Etymology

The word ken is derived from Tok Pisin ken, itself from English can.

Semantic space

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inclusion of more meanings

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The semantic space of ken includes abilities, as well as, permissions, possibilities, and probabilities.

sina ken ala ken toki pona?
sina ken ala ken toki pona?

Can you speak Toki Pona?

pu

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines ken as:

PRE-VERB  to be able to, be allowed to, can, may
ADJECTIVE  possible

ku

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as ken:

able⁵81–100% of respondents, potential⁵81–100% of respondents, ability⁵81–100% of respondents, capability⁵81–100% of respondents, capable⁵81–100% of respondents, may⁵81–100% of respondents, possible⁵81–100% of respondents, could⁵81–100% of respondents, eligible⁴61–80% of respondents, can⁴61–80% of respondents, possibility⁴61–80% of respondents, permission⁴61–80% of respondents, likelihood³41–60% of respondents, chance³41–60% of respondents, probability³41–60% of respondents, available³41–60% of respondents, opportunity³41–60% of respondents, maybe³41–60% of respondents, possibly³41–60% of respondents, odds³41–60% of respondents, patentially²21–40% of respondents, perhaps²21–40% of respondents, liberty²21–40% of respondents, might²21–40% of respondents, option²21–40% of respondents, viable²21–40% of respondents, enable²21–40% of respondents, privilege²21–40% of respondents, allow²21–40% of respondents, likely²21–40% of respondents, prospect²21–40% of respondents, freedom²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for ken is derived from the uppercase Latin letter K.