su (particle)
su is nonstandard question-marking particle.
Pronunciation | /su/ |
---|---|
Usage | 2023: N/A This word has not been surveyed for. Most speakers likely don't understand it. |
Book and era | No book |
Part of speech | Particle |
Etymology
This word was coined before those reserved for future use by jan Sonja,[citation needed] of which su is one.[1] Combined with the fact that it is nonstandard and absent from Linku, the particle su is likely to fall out of use if or when an official project named su is created. Similar, though less severe, conflicts apply to lu (conflicting with a synonym of lo) and nu (conflicting with a synonym of sin).
Function
su is used in place of li (or o) to mark the sentence as a yes–no question. Thus, each of these sentences denote the same meaning:
sina moku alamokusina moku ala moku?
sina moku anu semesina moku anu seme?
sinasu2mokusina su moku?
sitelen pona
The sitelen pona glyph for su (su2) is derived from that of anu, with the dot from seme (seme), itself depicting a question mark.
References
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 351.