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{{nimi

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{{tp|[[o]]}} is a [[particle]] in Toki Pona used to ~~form~~ ~~[[optative]],~~ ~~[[vocative]]~~, ~~and~~ ~~[[imperative]]~~ ~~phrases~~ ~~and~~ ~~[[sentence]]s~~.

{{tp|[[o]]}} is a [[particle]] in Toki Pona used to express desires and wishes, as well as to call out to a listener.

==Functions==

===Imperative===

{{tp|[[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~~.

{{tp|[[o]]}} can be followed by a verb, in which case the sentence is interpreted as a command or [[imperative]]. The [[Glossary#subject|subject]] of the sentence is omitted.

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===Vocative===

{{tp|[[o]]}} can follow a [[Glossary#noun|noun]] to show that the speaker is addressing that person, place, or thing. ~~The~~ vocative phrase can go either at the start or the end of a sentence.

{{tp|[[o]]}} can follow a [[Glossary#noun|noun]] to show that the speaker is addressing that person, place, or thing. This is known as a [[vocative]]. The [[o]] phrase can go either at the start or the end of a sentence.

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===Optative===

{{tp|[[o]]}} can replace {{tp|[[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" or "have to", a meaning that is traditionally covered by {{tp|[[wile]]}}.

{{tp|[[o]]}} can replace {{tp|[[li]]}} to indicate that the speaker wishes or hopes for something, or believes that it's better for something to be the case. This is known as an [[optative]] sentence. In many cases, it can be translated with "should" or with sentences starting with "may". In some cases it is used to express "must" or "have to", a meaning that is traditionally covered by {{tp|[[wile]]}}.

{{tp|[[o]]}} can be used with {{tp|[[mi]]}} and {{tp|[[sina]]}}, in which case it comes immediately after the [[Glossary#pronoun|pronoun]] and before the [[Glossary#predicate|predicate]].

{{Example|mi ~~~~o~~~~ lape.|I ~~~~should~~~~ sleep. (i.e. It would be better if I go to sleep)}}

{{Example|mi o lape.|I should sleep. (i.e. It would be better if I went to sleep)}}

{{Example|sijelo sina ~~~~o~~~~ kama pona.|~~~~May~~~~ your body become good/healthy. (i.e. I wish for your body to become healthy) I ~~~~hope~~~~ you get better!}}

{{Example|sijelo sina o kama pona.|May your body become good/healthy. (i.e. I wish for your body to become healthy) I hope you get better!}}

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}}".

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}}".{{Citation needed|"More commonly used than"?}}

==External links==