moku

moku is a core content word relating to consumption.

moku
Pronunciation	/ˈmo.ku/
Usage	2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Content word
Codepoint	󱤶 U+F1936

Etymology

The word moku is derived from Japanese モグモグ (mogumogu), meaning "chewing".

Semantic space

The semantic space of moku includes consumption, such as eating or drinking, as well as other routes of administration. It also includes food itself, substances fit for consumption.

When used as an intransitive verb, moku may mean both "to eat" and "to be food". A stategy to compat ambiguity in this case is adding an object. However, according to the monsutatesu, this may be ambiguous in a different manner, meanning "to consume" and "to feed".

mi moku e telo　

mi moku e telo.

I drink water.

pu

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines moku as:

VERB  to eat, drink, consume, swallow, ingest

ku

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as moku:

food⁵81–100% of respondents, eat⁵81–100% of respondents, eating⁵81–100% of respondents, consume⁵81–100% of respondents, dining⁵81–100% of respondents, meal⁵81–100% of respondents, consumption⁵81–100% of respondents, swallow⁴61–80% of respondents, dinner³41–60% of respondents, nutrition³41–60% of respondents, drinking³41–60% of respondents, chew³41–60% of respondents, groceries³41–60% of respondents, absorb²21–40% of respondents, drink²21–40% of respondents, lunch²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for moku is derived from the mouth and hand radicals.