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(an attempt to improve the article with easier examples and a more extensive explanation of the optative) |
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[[o]] can be followed by a verb, in which case the sentence is interpreted as a command. The [[Glossary#subject|subject]] of the sentence is ommited. |
[[o]] can be followed by a verb, in which case the sentence is interpreted as a command. The [[Glossary#subject|subject]] of the sentence is ommited. |
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; o kama! : Come! |
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; o musi e ilo kalama! : Play the instruments! |
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; o pakala ala e ijo mi! : Do not break my things! |
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=== Vocative === |
=== Vocative === |
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=== Optative === |
=== Optative === |
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[[o]] can be used instead of [[li]] to indicate the speaker's |
[[o]] can be used instead of [[li]] to indicate that the speaker wishes or hopes for something, or believes that it's better for something to be the case. In many cases, it can be translated with "should" or with sentences starting with "may". In some cases it is used to express "must", a meaning that is traditionally covered by {{tp|[[wile]]}}. |
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[[o]] can be used with [[mi]] and [[sina]], in which case it comes immediately after the [[Glossary#pronoun|pronoun]] and before the [[Glossary#predicate|predicate]]. |
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; mi o lape. : I should sleep. |
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; pona o tawa sijelo sina. |
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; mi <u>o</u> lape. : I <u>should</u> sleep. (i.e. It would be better if I go to sleep) |
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: May health be in your body. |
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; sijelo sina <u>o</u> kama pona. |
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: <u>May</u> your body become good/healthy. (i.e. I wish for your body to become healthy) |
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Optative constructions can also be used to combine imperative and vocative meanings into one sentence. For example, if you want to address someone called Moja and tell them to come, "{{tp|jan Moja o kama}}" is more commonly used than "{{tp|jan Moja o, o kama}}". |
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== External resources == |
== External resources == |
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