o
o is a particle used to express desires and wishes, as well as to call out to a listener.
  | |
| Pronunciation | /o/ |
|---|---|
| Usage | 2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%) |
| Book and era | nimi pu |
| Part of speech | Particle |
| Codepoint | U+F1944 |
Functions
Imperative and optative
o is used to indicate an imperative, expressing a command or instruction. In this case, the particle li is replaced by o and the subject may optionally be ommited. Unlike li, the particle o can be used following mi or sina.
o kama sona e toki-ponao kama sona e toki pona!
Learn Toki Pona!
o pakala ala e ijo mio pakala ala e ijo mi!
Do not break my things!
o is also used to indicate an optative mood, expressing a wish or hope. 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 wile.
mi o lapemi o lape.
I should sleep. (i.e. It would be better if I went to sleep)
sijelo sina o kama ponasijelo 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!
Vocative
o, following a word or phrase, indicates a vocative phrase, expressing that the speaker is addressing that person, place, or thing. The phrase may either go before or after the rest of the sentence.
toki jan-ale otoki, jan ale o!
Hi, everybody!
soweli mi o sina moku e lipu mi tan semesoweli mi o, sina moku e lipu mi tan seme?
Doggo, why did you eat my homework?
If o comes before the addressee instead, it becomes a command to be or personify them. For example, o jan ale! means "Be everyone!" and o soweli mi! means "Be my pet!"
Combining both imperative and vocative phrases together can be expressed with a single o:
jan [ale luka uta] o kamajan Alu o kama!
Come, Alu!
Alternatively, they may be separated:[citation needed…]
jan [ale luka uta] o o kamajan Alu o, o kama!
Come, Alu!
External links
Resources
- Toki Pona: The Language of Good: Lesson 10
- jan Kekan San: Instructions with o
- jan Lentan: Lesson 7
- jan Misali: tokiponization (toki pona lesson three)
- soweli Tesa: Lesson 13
- nasin toki pona: the particle o
- Jonathal Gabel: Interjections and Commands