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'''{{tp|pi}}''' is a [[particle]] used for regrouping or rebracketing [[modifier]]s. The resultingentire phrase that follows it ismodifies calledthe aphrase '''{{tp|pi}}that phrase'''comes before it.
 
==Function==
ByIn default[[Toki Pona]], words modify or describe the word they come after. When several words are used in a row, each modifiernew appliesword todescribes the wholesum phraseof beforeall it:the words that come before.<ref group="lower-alpha">Some speakers{{citation needed}} analyze all modifiers as applying to the first word instead,{{Citation needed|This is a plausible analysis, but who proposes it?}} but the distinction often doesn't matter.</ref>
 
{{Example|jan pona|good person}}
{{Example|jan pona mute|many good people}}
 
The particle {{tp|pi}} marks the nextfollowing word as a new {{w|Head (linguistics)|head}}, which takes its own modifiers.
{{Example|jan <mark>pi pona mute</mark>|<mark>very good</mark> person|jan <mark>pi(pona mute)</mark>}}
 
{{Example
The effect can be similar to hyphenating an [[adjective]] phrase in English:
|jan <mark>pi pona mute</mark>
{{Example|tomo telo nasa|strange water room (the room, perhaps a washroom, is weird)}}
|<mark>very good</mark> person
{{Example|tomo <mark>pi</mark> telo nasa|strange<mark>'''-'''</mark>water room (the liquid is weird; perhaps a pub)|tomo <mark>pi</mark>(telo nasa)}}
|jan <mark>pi(pona mute)</mark>
}}
 
The effect is similar to hyphenating [[adjective]]s in English, as described by the {{lipu ku|en}}. For this reason, {{tp|pi}} needs to be followed by at least two [[content words]]:. theThe newparticle headis andnot aneeded modifier applying to it. Ifif there wouldis only be one word afterfollowing it, you don't need the {{tp|pi}}.
 
{{Example
There is no way to "close" a {{tp|pi}} phrase, beyond using a higher-priority particle or preposition, or ending the sentence. Instead, modifiers that apply to the first word should be moved before the {{tp|pi}}:
|waso kule tu
{{Example|jan pi pana sona|knowledge-giving person (teacher)|jan pi(pana sona)}}
|two colorful birds
{{Example|jan ike pi pana sona|knowledge-giving bad person (bad teacher)|jan-ike pi(pana sona)}}
}}
{{Example
|waso <mark>pi</mark> kule tu<ref name="ku" />
|two-colored birds
|waso <mark>pi(kule tu)</mark>
}}
 
It is not possible to close a {{tp|pi}} phrase, beyond using another particle or preposition or ending the sentence. Modifiers that apply to the first word but not to the words after {{tp|pi}} are instead moved before the {{tp|pi}} phrase:
===Notes===
<references group="lower-alpha" />
 
{{Example
==Multiple {{tp|pi}}==
|jan pi pana sona ike
While not defined in {{tp|[[pu]]}}, some speakers do use multiple {{tp|pi}} in a single phrase. However, this carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second {{tp|pi}} is contained within the first or not:
|teacher who does a bad job of it ({{lit|badly-knowledge-giving person}})
{{Example|lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli|English much-knowledge book (is the book in English or is the knowledge about English?)|lipu pi sona mute pi toki [ijo ni li ike]}}
|jan pi(pana sona-ike)
}}
{{Example
|jan ike pi pana sona
|teacher who is a bad person ({{lit|knowledge-giving bad person}})
|jan-ike pi(pana sona)
}}
 
==Multiple {{tp|pi}} phrases==
The possible structures are:
Even though it is not defined in {{tp|[[pu]]}}, some speakers use multiple {{tp|pi}} phrases modifying a single phrase. This carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second {{tp|pi}} is contained within the first or not. For example, in the following sentence, it is unclear whether the book written in English or the information is about the English language.
 
{{Example
|lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli
|English much-knowledge book
|lipu pi(sona mute) pi(toki [ijo ni li ike])
}}
 
The two possible structures are:
 
;Flat {{tp|pi}}
Line 38 ⟶ 60:
:{{tp|1=<span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">lipu <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi sona <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">mute</span> <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi toki <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">Inli</span></span></span></span>}}
 
In his lessons, {{tok|jan Lope}} argues that, likesimilarly to other particles when reduplicated, such as {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}}, both {{tp|pi}} phrases apply equally apply to the first nounword in the phrase, rather than nesting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English/blob/master/pi.tex|title=pi.texToki Pona - Lessons and Dictionary|website=GitHub|name={{tok|jan TepoLope}}|username={{tok|jan-Lope}}|access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> As an example, he gives:
 
{{Example
|kulupu pi kalama musi pi ma Inli li pona.
|The English rock band is good.
|kulupu pi (kalama musi) pi (ma [ijo ni li ike]) li pona
}}
 
TheThere is ambiguity isabout whether it's refers to an English band that plays some sort of music, or a band from somewhere that plays English music. There is no consensus on this matter, and in practice both interpretations are possible. In fact, many speakers <em>want</em> it to be ambiguous so that clearer phrasing is used instead.
 
Using a single word between the {{tp|pi}} does prevent the ambiguity, as the flat structure would contain an invalid single-word {{tp|pi}} phrase. However, if you feel the need to stack this many modifiers, you might be better off rephrasing the phrase into a sentence:
 
{{Example|kiwen pi soweli pi kute suli|big-eared animal rock|kiwen pi(soweli pi kute suli)}}
{{Example
{{Example|kiwen ni li sama soweli pi kute suli.|This rock is like a big-eared animal.|kiwen ni li sama soweli pi(kute suli)}}
|kiwen pi soweli pi kute suli
{{Example|soweli pi kute suli li lawa e kiwen ni.|A big-eared animal rules over this rock.|soweli pi(kute suli) li lawa e kiwen ni}}
|big-eared animal rock
|kiwen pi(soweli pi kute suli)
}}
{{Example
|kiwen ni li sama soweli pi kute suli.
|This rock is like a big-eared animal.
|kiwen ni li sama soweli pi(kute suli)
}}
{{Example
|soweli pi kute suli li lawa e kiwen ni.
|The big-eared animal owns this rock.
|soweli pi(kute suli) li lawa e kiwen ni
}}
 
==Misconceptions==
 
==={{tp|pi}} is not "of"===
Some dictionaries, most notably the one featured in [[Toki Pona Dictionary (pu)|most notably the one in {{tp|pu}}]], define the word {{tp|pi}} as the English wordmeaning "of". This is misleading, as most senses of "of" don't translate into {{tp|pi}}:. This was acknowledged in the section "[[Notes on lipu pu|Notes on {{tp|lipu pu}}]]" of the {{ku|en}}.<ref name="ku">{{cite ku|8}}</ref>
 
{{Example|toki <del>pi</del> pona|the language <ins>of</ins> good}}
{{Example
|toki <del>pi</del> pona
|the language <ins>of</ins> good
}}
 
It may be more helpful to think of every modifier as having an implied "of" before it:
 
{{Example|kala utala suli|fish <ins>of</ins> fighting <ins>of</ins> bigness}}
{{Example
|kala utala suli
|fish <ins>of</ins> fighting <ins>of</ins> bigness
}}
 
===Possession===
{{tp|pi}} is not a possessive particle. It does not necessarily indicate ownership or translate the English "{{w|suffix}} ''-'s"'', endingalso known as the {{w|Saxon genitive}}. Any adjective can be interpreted as indicating possession regardless of the presence or absence of {{tp|pi}}. {{tp|pi}} serves the same purpose in a possessive context as it does in any other: to separate a group of modifiers from those preceding them.
 
{{Example|tomo ona|their house}}
 
In this case, the word {{tp|ona}} could name the owner of the house, and there is no {{tp|pi}}.
 
{{Example
{{Example|tomo pi jan Tanja|jan Tanja's house|tomo pi(jan Tanja)}}
|tomo pi jan Alu
|{{tok|jan Alu}}'s house
|tomo pi(jan [ale luka uta])
}}
 
Here, {{tok|jan TanjaAlu}} owns the house; {{tp|pi}} is used to separate the phrase {{tp|jan TanjaAlu}} from the word {{tp|tomo}}, preventing confusion:. This is only because {{tp|jan Alu}} is a multi-word modifier, and {{tp|ona}} is a single-word modifier.
 
{{Example|tomo ona ale|all their houses; all houses belonging to them}}
{{Example|tomo pi ona ale|all-of-them house; house belonging to all of them|tomo pi(ona ale)}}
 
Possession is one of many possible interpretations of {{tp|pi}}: what comes after {{tp|pi}} simply modifies, describes, qualifies, or alters what comes before it.
 
==Nonstandard usage==
==Controversy==
{{Start section|Nonstandard}}
{{tp|pi}} is controversial. To many speakers, it feels too engineered for Toki Pona's natural design, it creates more complexity and misconceptions than it is worth, and it encourages learners to [[Lexicalization|find "the phrase" for any given word]].{{Citation needed|Is there an example of someone specifically asserting this position?}} Avoiding {{tp|pi}} is a common {{tp|nasin}} called [[pin't]].
===Prepositions and preverbs inside {{tp|pi}} phrases===
It happens that a {{tp|pi}} phrase can be interpreted as being a prepositional phrase or having a preverb, like a predicate.
 
{{Example
==External links==
|mi toki tawa ilo pi lon poka mi.<ref>{{cite web|author={{tok|jan Kepe}}|title={{tok|Nasi}}|url=http://utala.pona.la/toki-en-lipu/lipu-suli/nasi.html|website={{tok|
utala musi pi ma pona}}|date=2023-07-15|access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref>
|I spoke to the machine [that] was next to me.
|mi toki tawa ilo pi(lon poka mi)
}}
 
Though it is not obvious how to harmonize this usage with the standard way in which {{tp|pi}} is used, presented above, these sentences remain comprehensible to many.{{citation needed}}
===Resources===
{{End section}}
* {{lipu pu|en}}: Lesson 11
 
* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [//mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html Modifiers and {{tok|pi}}]
=={{tp|pi}}n't==
* {{tok|jan Lentan}}: [//lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html Lesson 9]
{{Main|pin't|{{tp|pi}}n't}}
* {{tok|soweli Tesa}}: [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/6 Lesson 6]
{{Needs work|This section is not written in a neutral tone.|section}}
* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi the particle {{tok|pi}}]
 
* Jonathan Gabel: [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ Descriptions and Possesives]
The use of the word {{tp|pi}} is controversial. Many speakers believe it feels too engineered for Toki Pona's natural design, it creates more complexity and misconceptions than it is worth, and it encourages learners to [[Lexicalization|find "the phrase" for any given word]].{{Citation needed|Is there an example of someone specifically asserting this position?}}
 
=={{tp|sitelen pona}}==
The {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}} glyph for {{tp|pi}} ({{UCSUR char|{{codepoint|pi}}}}) is a bottom-left corner in an L-shape. It is very common to use {{tp|pi}} as an [[extended glyph]], as in the glyph is extended below the words that it is modifying: {{sp|1=pi (<span style="opacity:0.5;">ijo ijo</span>)}}.
 
=={{tp|sitelen sitelen}}==
{{Empty}}
<!--The {{tp|[[sitelen sitelen]]}} glyph for {{tp|{{subst:PAGENAME}}}} ({{ss|{{subst:PAGENAME}}}}) depicts/represents/is derived from/is composed of ….-->
 
==Notes==
<references group="lower-alpha"/>
 
==References==
<references/>
 
==Further reading==
 
===Resources===
* {{lipu pu|en}}: Lesson 11
* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [https://mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html Modifiers and {{tok|pi}}]
* {{tok|jan Lentan}}: [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html Lesson 9]
* {{tok|soweli Tesa}}: [https://lipu-sona.kittycat.homes/en/pi Lesson 6]
* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [https://github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi the particle {{tok|pi}}]
* Jonathan Gabel: [https://jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ Descriptions and Possesives]
 
===Dictionaries===
* {{R:Linku}}
* {{R:Wikipesija}}
* {{R:Wiktionary}}
{{Words}}
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