n
n is an interjection and nimi ku suli used to represent any filler word or humming sound, such as "um", "mmm", or "hmm".
Pronunciation | /n/ 🔊 🔊 |
---|---|
Usage | 2023: Common4 (70% , Widespread6↗︎ )2022: Common (68%) |
Book and era | nimi ku suli (post-pu) |
Part of speech | Particle |
Codepoint | U+F1986 |
It is often used to indicate being absorbed in thoughts, recognition, or agreement. n is frequently written with multiple letters (e.g. "nnn...") to indicate a drawn out sound.
Etymology Edit
The word n was coined by kala kala.[1][better source needed][when?]
Pronunciation Edit
The word n violates Toki Pona's strict phonotactics. Speakers still accept this because they may consider it easy to pronounce or technically not a word in the first place but an onomatopoeia. n does not have to be pronounced /n/ but can stand in for any hum or nasal sound, regardless of phonotactics. Some compare the word n to the coda nasal.
Definitions Edit
ku Edit
For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as n:[2]
um3, mmm2 , hmm2
sitelen pona Edit
The sitelen pona glyph for n () is composed of the punctuation stem and the lowercase Latin letter n. The glyph is sometimes drawn without the letter's left stem (n), making the lower part look just like the glyph for nena. The punctuation stem can be drawn upright (n) or at a diagonal (n). Compare the glyphs for a, kin, and o.
sitelen sitelen Edit
References Edit
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 24.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 292.
Further reading Edit
- "n" on lipu Linku
- "n" on lipu Wikipesija
- "n" on English Wiktionary