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li is a particle in toki pona that separates the subject from the rest of the sentence.

Function of li

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 "mi" or "sina" alone.

ona li moku.: They eat.
soweli li suwi.: The dog is cute.
kili li moku.: Fruits are food.
mi tawa tomo.: I'm going home.
sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.: You and I watch a movie.

Multiple predicates

Typically, li is repeated when multiple predicates apply to the same subject.

ona li kama li tawa.: They come and go.

pu says that when multiple predicates are applied to "mi" or "sina" a new sentence should start.^[1]

mi toki. mi moku.: I speak and eat.

Many speakers, however, use a second li in this case:

mi toki li moku.: I speak and eat.

This is referred to as "extended li style" and has received official sanction from ku.

References

↑ pu p. 56

External resources

[1] u p. 56

[1]

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 == Function of li ==
-li separates the subject from the predicate.
+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 "mi" or "sina" alone.
+; ona li moku. : They eat.
+; soweli li suwi. : The dog is cute.
+; kili li moku. : Fruits are food.
+; mi tawa tomo. : I'm going home.
+; sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa. : You and I watch a movie.
+== Multiple predicates ==
-ona li moku = "They eat"
+Typically, [[li]] is repeated when multiple predicates apply to the same subject.
+; ona li kama li tawa. : They come and go.
-== Common mistakes/misconceptions ==
-li is not a copula. It does not mean "to be."
+[[pu]] says that when multiple predicates are applied to "mi" or "sina" a new sentence should start.<ref>[[pu]] p. 56</ref>
-It isn't used when the subject is mi or sina, with no modifiers.
+; mi toki. mi moku. : I speak and eat.
-mi pona = "I'm fine"
+Many speakers, however, use a second [[li]] in this case:
-The exception to this is when there are multiple predicates, or the subject is modified.
-sina wile e ijo li kama jo e ona = "You want something, and get it"
+; mi toki li moku. : I speak and eat.
+This is referred to as "extended li style" and has received official sanction from [[ku]].
-mi mute li wawa = "We are strong"
-== External sources ==
+== References ==
+<references />
+== External resources ==
 * [[pu]] Lessons 2 through 5.
 * [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/ jan Lentan Lessons 1-4]