sin

sin
Pronunciation	/sin/
Usage	2023: Core (99% → )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era	nimi pu ("synonym" in pu)
Part of speech	Content word
Codepoint	󱥝 U+F195D

sin is a core content word relating to newness.

Etymology

The word sin is derived from Chinese 新 (pinyin: xīn), meaning "new".

Semantic space

The semantic space of sin includes new, fresh, and young things, as well as the concept of newness itself.

nasin ni la mi sin　

nasin ni la mi sin.

We're new to this method.

When used as a transitive verb, sin can mean to renew or refresh: to make the direct object new.

When used to modify a verb, sin can mean again, anew.

ona li kama sin　

ona li kama sin.

They will return (arrive again).

sin and namako ("spice, extra") were presented as synonyms in Toki Pona: The Language of Good. As such, many speakers include senses such as "extra" and "additional" under the semantic space of sin. The phrase nimi sin is an example of such use. Other speakers keep the words split and reserve those senses for namako, with sin only describing things based on recency and not additionality.

poki li lon tomo sin　anu　poki li lon tomo namako

poki li lon tomo sin. (or) poki li lon tomo namako.

The boxes are in the annex (additional room).

majuna ("old") is an uncommon pre-pu antonym for sin. Despite this heavy specialization of sin and the many related words around it, youngness is often instead described using lili.

pu

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines sin as:

ADJECTIVE  new, fresh; additional, another, extra

ku

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as sin:

new⁵81–100% of respondents, newly⁵81–100% of respondents, fresh⁵81–100% of respondents, back (i.e. as before or returned)²21–40% of respondents, again²21–40% of respondents, unprecedented²21–40% of respondents, innovative²21–40% of respondents, modern²21–40% of respondents, another²21–40% of respondents, additionally²21–40% of respondents, recent²21–40% of respondents, repeat²21–40% of respondents, innovation²21–40% of respondents, young²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for sin depicts three lines, in the form of a starburst missing the bottom ray. The exact meaning is unclear. The glyph may represent something popping into existence. Due to the merger with namako, it may also represent a few flakes of a spice. The shape also evokes a pile of something extra being added on top, which occurs in stacked glyphs.

sitelen sitelen

The sitelen sitelen glyph for sin is derived from the syllable glyph for sin with the glyph for i being enlarged and bubblified.

Further reading

• "sin" on lipu Linku
• "sin" on lipu Wikipesija
• "sin" on English Wiktionary