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{{nimi
{{tp title}}{{nimi
|PoS=particle
| PoS = particle
|UCSUR=F194D
}}
}}
'''''pi''''' is a [[particle]] used for grouping [[modifier]]s together. The resulting phrase that follows it is called a '''''pi'' phrase''', by analogy to [[preposition]]al phrases.
'''{{tp|pi}}''' is a [[particle]] used for regrouping [[modifier]]s. The entire phrase that follows it modifies the phrase that comes before it.


== How it works ==
==Function==
By default, each modifier applies to the whole phrase before it<ref>Some analyze them as all applying to the first word instead, but the distinction often doesn't matter.</ref>:
In [[Toki Pona]], words modify or describe the word they come after. When several words are used in a row, each new word describes the sum of all the words that come before.<ref group="lower-alpha">Some speakers{{citation needed}} analyze all modifiers as applying to the first word instead, but the distinction often doesn't matter.</ref>


:;''jan pona''
{{Example|jan pona|good person}}
{{Example|jan pona mute|many good people}}
::good person
:;''jan pona mute''
::many good people


''pi'' marks the next word as a new head, which takes its own modifiers.
The particle {{tp|pi}} marks the following word as a new {{w|Head (linguistics)|head}}, which takes its own modifiers.


{{Example
:;''jan <u>pi pona mute</u>''
|jan <mark>pi pona mute</mark>
::<u>very good</u> person
|<mark>very good</mark> person
|jan <mark>pi(pona mute)</mark>
}}


The effect can be similar to hyphenating an [[adjective]] phrase in English:
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]]. The particle is not needed if there is only one word following it.


{{Example
:;''tomo telo nasa''
|waso kule tu
::strange water room (the room, perhaps a washroom, is weird)
|two colorful birds
:;''tomo <u>pi telo nasa</u>''
}}
::<u>strange'''-'''water</u> room (the liquid is weird; perhaps a pub)
{{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:
''pi'' needs to be followed by at least two [[Glossary#Content word|content words]]: the new head and a modifier applying to it. If there would only be one word after it, you don't need the ''pi''.


{{Example
There is no way to "close" a ''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 ''pi'':
|jan pi pana sona ike
|teacher who does a bad job of it ({{lit|badly-knowledge-giving person}})
|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==
:;''jan pi pana sona''
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.
::knowledge-giving person (teacher)
:;''jan ike pi pana sona''
::knowledge-giving bad person (bad teacher)


{{Example
===Notes===
|lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli
<references />
|English much-knowledge book
|lipu pi(sona mute) pi(toki [ijo ni li ike])
}}


The two possible structures are:
== Multiple ''pi'' ==
While not defined in ''[[pu]]'', some speakers do use multiple ''pi'' in a single phrase. However, this carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second ''pi'' is contained within the first or not:


;Flat {{tp|pi}}
:;''lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli''
:{{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> <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>}}
::English much-knowledge book (is the book in English or is the knowledge about English?)


;Nested {{tp|pi}}
The possible structures are:
:{{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, similarly to other particles when reduplicated, such as {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}}, both {{tp|pi}} phrases equally apply to the first word in the phrase rather than nesting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English|title=Toki Pona - Lessons and Dictionary|website=GitHub|name={{tok|jan Lope}}|username={{tok|jan-Lope}}|access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> As an example, he gives:
;Flat ''pi''
:''<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> <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>''


{{Example
;Nested ''pi''
|kulupu pi kalama musi pi ma Inli li pona.
:''<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>''
|The English rock band is good.
|kulupu pi(kalama musi) pi(ma [ijo ni li ike]) li pona
}}


There is ambiguity about whether it 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 want it to be ambiguous so that clearer phrasing is used instead.
jan Lope argues that, like ''[[li]]'' and ''[[e]]'', both ''pi'' phrases apply equally to the first noun in the phrase, rather than nesting.<ref>[//htmlpreview.github.io/?https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English/gh-pages/toki-pona-lessons_en/index.html#3127]jan Lope, "Are multiple ''pi'' phrases possible?</ref> As an example, he gives:


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:
<blockquote>
:;''kulupu pi kalama musi pi ma Inli li pona.''
::The English rock band is good.
</blockquote>


{{Example
The ambiguity is whether it's 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.
|kiwen pi soweli pi kute suli
|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==
Using a single word between the ''pi'' does prevent the ambiguity, as the flat structure would contain an invalid single-word ''pi'' phrase. However, if you feel the need to stack this many modifiers, you might be better off rephrasing the phrase into a sentence:


==={{tp|pi}} is not "of"===
:;''kiwen pi soweli pi kute suli''
Some dictionaries, most notably the one featured in [[Toki Pona Dictionary (pu)|{{tp|pu}}]], define the word {{tp|pi}} as meaning "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>
::big-eared animal rock
:;''kiwen ni li sama soweli pi kute suli.''
::This rock is like a big-eared animal.
:;''soweli pi kute suli li lawa e kiwen ni.''
::A big-eared animal rules over this rock.


{{Example
== ''pi'' is not "of" ==
|toki <del>pi</del> pona
Some dictionaries, [[Toki Pona Dictionary (pu)|most notably the one in ''pu'']], define ''pi'' as the English word "of". This is misleading, as most senses of "of" don't translate into ''pi'':
|the language <ins>of</ins> good

}}
:;''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:
It may be more helpful to think of every modifier as having an implied "of" before it:


{{Example
:;''kala utala suli''
|kala utala suli
::fish <ins>of</ins> fighting <ins>of</ins> bigness
|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'', also 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
|tomo pi jan Alu
|{{tok|jan Alu}}'s house
|tomo pi(jan [ale luka uta])
}}

Here, {{tok|jan Alu}} owns the house; {{tp|pi}} is used to separate the phrase {{tp|jan Alu}} 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==
{{Start section|Nonstandard}}
===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
|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}}
{{End section}}

=={{tp|pi}}n't==
{{Main|pin't|{{tp|pi}}n't}}
{{Needs work|This section is not written in a neutral tone.|section}}

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 ….-->


=== Possession ===
==Notes==
<references group="lower-alpha"/>
A related misconception is that ''pi'' marks possession. In reality, adjectives can be interpreted as possessive with or without ''pi''. It is just about whether the possessor is referred to with more than one word.


==References==
:;''tomo ona''
<references/>
::their house
:;''tomo pi ona ale''
::all of theirs' house
:;''tomo pi ona wan''
::one of them's house


== Controversy ==
==Further reading==
''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]]. Avoiding ''pi'' is a common ''nasin'' called [[pin't]].


===Resources===
== External resources ==
* [[pu]] Lesson 11
* {{lipu pu|en}}: Lesson 11
* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [https://mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html Modifiers and {{tok|pi}}]
* [//lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html jan Lentan Lesson 9]
* [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/6 soweli Tesa Lesson 6]
* {{tok|jan Lentan}}: [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html Lesson 9]
* {{tok|soweli Tesa}}: [https://lipu-sona.kittycat.homes/en/pi Lesson 6]
* [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ sitelen sitelen Descriptions and Possesives]
* [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi nasin toki pona]
* {{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]
* [//mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html jan Kekan San Modifiers and pi]


== References ==
===Dictionaries===
* {{R:Linku}}
<references />
* {{R:Wikipesija}}
* {{R:Wiktionary}}
{{Words}}

Revision as of 07:00, 18 April 2024

pi in sitelen pona
pi in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /pi/
Usage 2023: Core (99% ↗︎ )2022: Core (98%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Particle
Codepoint 󱥍 U+F194D

pi is a particle used for regrouping modifiers. The entire phrase that follows it modifies the phrase that comes before it.

Function

In Toki Pona, words modify or describe the word they come after. When several words are used in a row, each new word describes the sum of all the words that come before.[a]

jan pona

jan pona

good person

jan pona mute

jan pona mute

many good people

The particle pi marks the following word as a new head, which takes its own modifiers.

jan pi(pona mute)

jan pi pona mute

very good person

The effect is similar to hyphenating adjectives in English, as described by the Toki Pona Dictionary. For this reason, pi needs to be followed by at least two content words. The particle is not needed if there is only one word following it.

waso kule tu

waso kule tu

two colorful birds

waso pi(kule tu)

waso pi kule tu[1]

two-colored birds

It is not possible to close a 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 pi are instead moved before the pi phrase:

jan pi(pana sona-ike)

jan pi pana sona ike

teacher who does a bad job of it (lit. 'badly-knowledge-giving person')

jan-ike pi(pana sona)

jan ike pi pana sona

teacher who is a bad person (lit. 'knowledge-giving bad person')

Multiple pi phrases

Even though it is not defined in pu, some speakers use multiple pi phrases modifying a single phrase. This carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second 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.

lipu pi(sona mute) pi(toki [ijo ni li ike])

lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli

English much-knowledge book

The two possible structures are:

Flat pi
lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli
Nested pi
lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli

In his lessons, jan Lope argues that, similarly to other particles when reduplicated, such as li and e, both pi phrases equally apply to the first word in the phrase rather than nesting.[2] As an example, he gives:

kulupu pi(kalama musi) pi(ma [ijo ni li ike]) li pona

kulupu pi kalama musi pi ma Inli li pona.

The English rock band is good.

There is ambiguity about whether it 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 want it to be ambiguous so that clearer phrasing is used instead.

Using a single word between the pi does prevent the ambiguity, as the flat structure would contain an invalid single-word pi phrase. However, if you feel the need to stack this many modifiers, you might be better off rephrasing the phrase into a sentence:

kiwen pi(soweli pi kute suli)

kiwen pi soweli pi kute suli

big-eared animal rock

kiwen ni li sama soweli pi(kute suli)

kiwen ni li sama soweli pi kute suli.

This rock is like a big-eared animal.

soweli pi(kute suli) li lawa e kiwen ni

soweli pi kute suli li lawa e kiwen ni.

The big-eared animal owns this rock.

Misconceptions

pi is not "of"

Some dictionaries, most notably the one featured in pu, define the word pi as meaning "of". This is misleading, as most senses of "of" don't translate into pi. This was acknowledged in the section "Notes on lipu pu" of the Toki Pona Dictionary.[1]

toki pi pona

toki pi pona

the language of good

It may be more helpful to think of every modifier as having an implied "of" before it:

kala utala suli

kala utala suli

fish of fighting of bigness

Possession

pi is not a possessive particle. It does not necessarily indicate ownership or translate the English suffix -'s, also known as the Saxon genitive. Any adjective can be interpreted as indicating possession regardless of the presence or absence of pi. 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.

tomo ona

tomo ona

their house

In this case, the word ona could name the owner of the house, and there is no pi.

tomo pi(jan [ale luka uta])

tomo pi jan Alu

jan Alu's house

Here, jan Alu owns the house; pi is used to separate the phrase jan Alu from the word tomo, preventing confusion. This is only because jan Alu is a multi-word modifier, and ona is a single-word modifier.

tomo ona ale

tomo ona ale

all their houses; all houses belonging to them

tomo pi(ona ale)

tomo pi ona ale

all-of-them house; house belonging to all of them

Possession is one of many possible interpretations of pi: what comes after pi simply modifies, describes, qualifies, or alters what comes before it.

Nonstandard usage

Caution: The subject of this section is nonstandard and will not be understood by most speakers.
If you are a learner, this information will not help you speak the language. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the standard style, and to be informed and selective about which nonstandard styles you adopt.

Prepositions and preverbs inside pi phrases

It happens that a pi phrase can be interpreted as being a prepositional phrase or having a preverb, like a predicate.

mi toki tawa ilo pi(lon poka mi)

mi toki tawa ilo pi lon poka mi.[3]

I spoke to the machine [that] was next to me.

Though it is not obvious how to harmonize this usage with the standard way in which pi is used, presented above, these sentences remain comprehensible to many.[citation needed]

pin't

Main article: pin't
Under construction This section needs work:

This section is not written in a neutral tone.

If you know about this topic, you can help us by editing it. (See all)

The use of the word 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 find "the phrase" for any given word.[citation needed]

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for pi (󱥍) is a bottom-left corner in an L-shape. It is very common to use pi as an extended glyph, as in the glyph is extended below the words that it is modifying: pi (ijo ijo).

sitelen sitelen

Under construction: This section is empty. You can help us by adding to it.

Notes

  1. ↑ Some speakers[citation needed] analyze all modifiers as applying to the first word instead, but the distinction often doesn't matter.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 8.
  2. ↑ jan Lope [jan-Lope]. "Toki Pona - Lessons and Dictionary". GitHub. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  3. ↑ jan Kepe. (15 July 2023). "Nasi". utala musi pi ma pona. Retrieved 13 November 2023.

Further reading

Resources

Dictionaries

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Resources Dictionaries · Glossary · Cognates · Glosses · Minimal pairs
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