lon
  | |
| Pronunciation | /lon/ (listen) |
|---|---|
| Usage | 2023: Core (100% → ) 2022: Core (100%) |
| Book and era | nimi pu |
| Part of speech | Content word, preposition |
| Codepoint | U+F192C |
lon is a core preposition and content word relating to presence, being in, and truth.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word lon is derived from Tok Pisin long, meaning "in, on, at", itself from English along.[1]
Semantic space[edit | edit source]
The semantic space of lon includes truth, existence, and reality.
Preposition[edit | edit source]
As a preposition, lon indicates that the subject is in, on, or about the object.
mi open lon nimi sewi
mi open lon nimi sewi.I begin with the name of the Divine.[2]
akesi li wile lon nena
akesi li wile lon nena.[3]The lizard wants to be on the hill.
lon is often used with a spatial noun to indicate location. In the sentence below, poka is a spatial noun referring to the side.
jan-ala li lon poka ona
jan ala li lon poka ona.[4]There is nobody next to him (at his side).
lon can also qualify that something exists or is true on some condition, not necessarily in reality. It has a similar meaning to la, but not the same grammar.
mi ken tawa sina lon ni: pali mi li pini
mi ken tawa sina lon ni: pali mi li pini.I can meet up with you on this [condition]: my work is finished.
jan li pana e seli tan luka lon musi
jan li pana e seli tan luka lon musi.People shoot fire from their hands in the game.
Content word[edit | edit source]
As a content word, lon can mean present. The structure X li lon can be used to state that something exists or is present in the moment.
mi lon
mi lon.We're here.
It also covers the concepts of "real", "true", and "truth". This is because things that are true or real must "be somewhere". So, if no qualification follows lon, it is assumed that the "somewhere" is reality in general.
mi toki e lon
mi toki e lon.[5]I say the truth.
jan ale o kama sona e lon ona.
jan ale o kama sona e lon ona.[6]Everyone should learn their own truth.
jan pona mi li toki lon!
jan pona mi li toki lon![7]My friends were telling the truth! (lit. were speaking truly)
sitelen pona[edit | edit source]
The sitelen pona glyph for lon is a dot above a horizontal line, representing being on something or at someplace.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Word Origins. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Toki Pona.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja (2014). Toki Pona: The Language of Good. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292300. OCLC 921253340. p. 7.
- ↑ jan Kita. "akesi li wile lon nena". utala.pona.la. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ Piron, Claude; trans. jan Tepo. "Gerda Malaperis". Google Docs. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja (2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 7.
- ↑ Hesse, Hermann; trans. jan Kala. "Siddhartha". tokipona.org. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ jan Kepe. (15 July 2023). "Nasi". http://utala.pona.la/toki-en-lipu/lipu-suli/nasi.html. Retrieved 10 November 2023.