noka

noka
Pronunciation	/ˈno.ka/ (listen)
Usage	2023: Core (99% ↗ ) 2022: Core (98%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Content word
Codepoint	󱥃 U+F1943

noka is a core content word relating to the legs and feet.

Etymology

The word noka is derived from Crotian noga, meaning "leg".

Semantic space

The semantic space of noka includes any and all parts of human lower limbs, such as the legs, knees, feet, and toes; similarly to how luka can refer to the hands or arms. As a transitive verb, it may refer to the act of interacting with something using said limbs, such as placing one's feet, kicking, among other meanings. When referring to non-human creatures, noka usually refers to their organs of locomotion.

Figuratively, it may refer to the lower part of an object, such as a base, foundation, or roots (of a plant).

pu

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

NOUN  foot, leg, organ of locomotion; bottom, lower part

ku

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

leg⁵81–100% of respondents, foot⁴61–80% of respondents, lap³41–60% of respondents, ankle³41–60% of respondents, kick³41–60% of respondents, heel²21–40% of respondents, knee²21–40% of respondents, base²21–40% of respondents

Difference from anpa

Main article: noka vs. anpa

When used in prepositional phrases, anpa and noka may have synonymous or distinct meanings, depending on the speaker. The phrase lon anpa is more common for "at the bottom (of)".

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for noka represents a leg, drawn either facing right or left.