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. 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.
Some speakers use a second li in this case. This is referred to as "extended li style" in ku.
- mi toki li moku.
- I speak and eat.
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.
Etymology
The Toki Pona particle li is from the Esperanto third-person singular pronoun "li."[2]