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==Function==
==Function==
By default, each modifier applies to the whole phrase before it:<ref group="lower-alpha">Some speakers 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>
[[Modifier]]s, by default, apply to whole phrase that precedes it.<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>


{{Example|jan pona|good person}}
{{Example|jan pona|good person}}
{{Example|jan pona mute|many good people}}
{{Example|jan pona mute|many good people}}


{{tp|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 <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>
}}


{{tp|pi}} needs to be followed by at least two [[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 {{tp|pi}}.
The effect is similar to hyphenating an [[adjective]] phrase in English.<ref name="ku">{{cite ku|8}}</ref> For this reason, {{tp|pi}} needs to be followed by at least two [[content words]]: the new head and a modifier applying to it. The particle is not need if there is only one word following it.


{{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}}:
|tomo telo nasa
{{Example|jan pi pana sona|knowledge-giving person (teacher)|jan pi(pana sona)}}
⚫
|strange water room (the room is weird)<br/>
{{Example|jan ike pi pana sona|knowledge-giving bad person (bad teacher)|jan-ike pi(pana sona)}}
weird bathroom
}}
{{Example
|tomo <mark>pi</mark> telo nasa
|strange-water room (the liquid is weird)<br/>
bar, pub
|tomo <mark>pi(telo nasa)</mark>
}}


⚫
It is not possible to close a {{tp|pi}} phrase, beyond using a higher-priority particle or preposition or ending the sentence. Modifiers that apply to the first word should instead be moved before the {{tp|pi}} phrase:
⚫
===Notes===

⚫
<references group="lower-alpha" />
{{Example
|jan pi pana sona ike
|teacher of evil information (literally, "bad-knowledge-giving person")
|jan pi(pana sona-ike)
}}
{{Example
|jan ike pi pana sona
|bad teacher (literally, "bad knowledge-giving person")
|jan-ike pi(pana sona)
}}


==Multiple {{tp|pi}}==
==Multiple {{tp|pi}} phrases==
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:
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
{{Example
|lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli
|lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli
|English much-knowledge book (is the book in English or is the knowledge about English?)
|English much-knowledge book
|lipu pi sona mute pi toki [ijo ni li ike]
|lipu pi(sona mute) pi(toki [ijo ni li ike])
}}
}}


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:{{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>}}
:{{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>}}


{{tok|jan Lope}} argues that, like {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}}, both {{tp|pi}} phrases apply equally to the first noun 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 Tepo}}|username={{tok|jan-Lope}}|access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> As an example, he gives:
{{tok|jan Lope}} argues that, like {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}}, both {{tp|pi}} phrases apply equally to the first noun 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 Lepo}}|username={{tok|jan-Lope}}|access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> As an example, he gives:


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


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==={{tp|pi}} is not "of"===
==={{tp|pi}} is not "of"===
Some dictionaries, [[Toki Pona Dictionary (pu)|most notably the one in {{tp|pu}}]], define {{tp|pi}} as the English word "of". This is misleading, as most senses of "of" don't translate into {{tp|pi}}:
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 acknoledged in the section "Notes on {{tp|lipu pu}}" of the {{ku|en}}.<ref name="ku"/>

{{Example|toki <del>pi</del> pona|the language <ins>of</ins> good}}
{{Example|toki <del>pi</del> pona|the language <ins>of</ins> good}}


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===Possession===
===Possession===
{{tp|pi}} is not a possessive particle. It does not necessarily indicate ownership or translate the English "-'s" ending. 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.
{{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}}
{{Example|tomo ona|their house}}
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In this case, the word {{tp|ona}} could name the owner of the house, and there is no {{tp|pi}}.
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 [tan anu ni jan a])}}
|tomo pi jan Alu
|{{tok|jan Alu}}'s house
|tomo pi(jan [ale luka uta])
}}


Here, {{tok|jan Tanja}} owns the house; {{tp|pi}} is used to separate the phrase {{tp|jan Tanja}} from the word {{tp|tomo}}, preventing confusion. This is only because {{tp|jan Tanja}} is a multi-word modifier, and {{tp|ona}} is a single-word modifier.
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 ona ale|all their houses; all houses belonging to them}}
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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
{{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]].
{{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]].

⚫
==Notes==
⚫
<references group="lower-alpha"/>

⚫
==References==
⚫
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
Line 95: Line 125:
* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi the particle {{tok|pi}}]
* {{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]
* Jonathan Gabel: [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ Descriptions and Possesives]

⚫
==References==
⚫
<references/>
{{Words}}
{{Words}}

Revision as of 20:11, 10 November 2023

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 resulting phrase that follows it is called a pi phrase.

Function

Modifiers, by default, apply to whole phrase that precedes it.[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 an adjective phrase in English.[1] For this reason, pi needs to be followed by at least two content words: the new head and a modifier applying to it. The particle is not need if there is only one word following it.

tomo telo nasa

tomo telo nasa

strange water room (the room is weird)
weird bathroom

tomo pi(telo nasa)

tomo pi telo nasa

strange-water room (the liquid is weird)
bar, pub

It is not possible to close a pi phrase, beyond using a higher-priority particle or preposition or ending the sentence. Modifiers that apply to the first word should instead be moved before the pi phrase:

jan pi(pana sona-ike)

jan pi pana sona ike

teacher of evil information (literally, "bad-knowledge-giving person")

jan-ike pi(pana sona)

jan ike pi pana sona

bad teacher (literally, "bad knowledge-giving 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 possible structures are:

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

jan Lope argues that, like li and e, both pi phrases apply equally to the first noun 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.

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 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.

A big-eared animal rules over 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 acknoledged 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.

Controversy

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 find "the phrase" for any given word.[citation needed] Avoiding pi is a common nasin called pin't.

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 Lepo [jan-Lope]. "Toki Pona - Lessons and Dictionary". GitHub. Retrieved 8 November 2023.

External links

Resources

Parts of speech Content words (Roles · Prepositions · Preverbs · Names · Numbers) · Particles (Semiparticles) · Interjections
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Common words kijetesantakalu · kin · kipisi · ku · leko · meli · mije · misikeke · monsuta · n · namako · soko · tonsi
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Resources Dictionaries · Glossary · Cognates · Glosses · Minimal pairs
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