li
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.
ona li moku = "They eat"
Common mistakes/misconceptions
li is not a copula. It does not mean "to be."
It isn't used when the subject is mi or sina, with no modifiers.
mi pona = "I'm fine"
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 mute li wawa = "We are strong"
External sources
- pu Lessons 2 through 5.
- jan Lentan Lessons 1-4
- sitelen sitelen Basic Sentences
- soweli Tesa Lesson 2
- jan Lope
- nasin toki pona