nanpa

See also: Numbers

nanpa
Pronunciation	/ˈnan.pa/
Usage	2023: Core (100% ↗︎ )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Semiparticle, content word
Codepoint	󱤽 U+F193D

nanpa is a core content word relating to numbers.

Etymology

The word nanpa is derived from Tok Pisin namba, itself from English number.

Semantic space

The semantic space of nanpa includes numbers in general, rather than any specific number, such as wan or tu. It may also refer to calculations and, by extension, computer programs and coding.

ilo nanpa li ken nanpa e tenpo　

ilo nanpa li ken nanpa e tenpo.

The number tool can count time.

ale li nanpa　

ale li nanpa.

Everything is a computer simulation.

Ordinals

As a particle, nanpa introduces and marks a number phrase as an ordinal number. As number phrases are introduced with nanpa, the use of the particle pi is optional.

waso nanpa tu wan li kute e nimi　

waso nanpa tu wan li kute e nimi.

The third bird heard a word.

Non-numeric ordinals

The subject of this article is nonstandard and will not be understood by most speakers.

If you are a learner, this information will not help you speak the language. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the standard style, and to be informed and selective about which nonstandard styles you adopt.

Some speakers use nanpa with non-number phrases. For example, the issues of lipu tenpo are "numbered" with arbitrary content words, such as lipu tenpo nanpa akesi.

This can describe a being that, of its kind, is uniquely distinguished by the phrase after nanpa. It can also be used similarly to a superlative, such as kiwen nanpa lili for "the smallest rock", equivalent to kiwen pi lili nanpa wan.

pu

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

PARTICLE  -th (ordinal number)
NOUN  numbers

ku

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

number⁵81–100% of respondents, count⁴61–80% of respondents, score³41–60% of respondents, rating³41–60% of respondents, rank³41–60% of respondents, measurement³41–60% of respondents, ranking³41–60% of respondents, statistical³41–60% of respondents, quantity²21–40% of respondents, calculate²21–40% of respondents, grade²21–40% of respondents, percentage²21–40% of respondents, edition²21–40% of respondents, percent²21–40% of respondents, statistics²21–40% of respondents, version²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for nanpa represents a number sign (#). It is upright and wider, taking on a square shape that more closely resembles the Viewdata square (⌗).