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{{tp|li}} is a [[particle]] in Toki Pona that separates the subject from the rest of the sentence.
'''{{tp|li}}''' is a [[particle]] used to introduce the [[predicate]], that is, it separates the [[subject]] from the rest of the sentence.


==Etymology==
== Function of {{tp|li}} ==
The word {{tp|li}} is derived from the {{w|Esperanto}} third-person singular pronoun "li".<ref>[//archive.ph/i4Psx Word Origins]. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. ''Toki Pona''.</ref>

==Function==
{{tp|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 {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} alone.
{{tp|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 {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} alone.

{{Example|ona li moku.|They eat.}}
{{Example|ona li moku.|They eat.}}
{{Example|soweli li suwi.|The dog is cute.}}
{{Example|soweli li suwi.|The dog is cute.}}
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{{Example|sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.|You and I watch a movie.}}
{{Example|sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.|You and I watch a movie.}}


== Multiple predicates ==
===Multiple predicates===
Typically, {{tp|li}} is repeated when multiple predicates apply to the same subject.
Typically, {{tp|li}} is repeated when multiple predicates apply to the same subject.
{{Example|ona li kama li tawa.|They come and go.}}
{{Example|ona li kama li tawa.|They come and go.}}


{{pu}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}, a new sentence should start.<ref>[[pu]] p. 56</ref>
{{pu}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}, a new sentence should start.<ref>{{cite pu|56}}</ref>
{{Example|mi toki. mi moku.|I speak and eat.}}
{{Example|mi toki. mi moku.|I speak and eat.}}


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{{Example|mi moku li toki.|The food-related me is talking.}}
{{Example|mi moku li toki.|The food-related me is talking.}}


== Etymology ==
==References==
<references/>
The Toki Pona particle {{tp|li}} is from the Esperanto third-person singular pronoun "li."<ref>[//archive.ph/i4Psx toki pona Etymological Dictionary]</ref>


== References ==
==External links==
<references />


===Resources===
== External resources ==
* {{tp|[[pu]]}} Lessons 2 through 5.
* {{pu|en}}: Lessons 2–5
* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [//mun.la/sona/li.html Actions with {{tok|li}}]
* [//lipu-sona.pona.la/ {{tok|jan Lentan}} Lessons 1-4]
* {{tok|jan Lentan}}: [https://lipu-sona.pona.la Lessons 1–4]
* [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/basic-sentences/ {{tok|sitelen sitelen}} Basic Sentences]
* [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/2 {{tok|soweli Tesa}} Lesson 2]
* {{tok|soweli Tesa}}: [https://sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/2 Lesson 2]
* [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-li {{tok|nasin toki pona}}]
* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-li the particle {{tok|li}}]
* Jonathan Gabel: [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/basic-sentences/ Basic Sentences]
* [//mun.la/sona/li.html {{tok|jan Kekan San}} Actions with {{tok|li}}]
{{Words}}
{{Words}}

Revision as of 16:09, 10 October 2023

li in sitelen pona
li in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /li/
Usage 2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Particle
Codepoint 󱤧 U+F1927

li is a particle used to introduce the predicate, that is, it separates the subject from the rest of the sentence.

Etymology

The word li is derived from the Esperanto third-person singular pronoun "li".[1]

Function

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 

ona li moku.

They eat.

soweli li suwi 

soweli li suwi.

The dog is cute.

kili li moku 

kili li moku.

Fruits are food.

mi tawa tomo 

mi tawa tomo.

I'm going home.

sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa 

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 

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.[2]

mi toki  mi moku 

mi toki. mi moku.

I speak and eat.

Some speakers use a second li in this case. This is referred to as "extended li style" in ku.

mi moku li toki 

mi moku li toki.

I eat and speak.

A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether toki is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of mi.

mi moku li toki 

mi moku li toki.

The food-related me is talking.

References

  1. Word Origins. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Toki Pona.
  2. Lang, Sonja. (25 May 2014). Toki Pona: The Language of Good. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292300. OCLC 921253340. p. 56.

External links

Resources