tan

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

tan
Pronunciation	/tan/
Usage	2023: Core (99% → )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Preposition, content word
Codepoint	󱥧 U+F1967

tan is a core preposition and content word relating to the origin, cause, or reason of something.

Etymology

The etymology of the word tan is uncertain. Proposals include: Cantonese 從 (Jyutping: cung⁴), "to follow; from"; Georgian -დან -dan from; out of; since"; and Dutch dan "then; after that; in that case."

Semantic space

The semantic space of tan includes the source, origin, cause, or reason for something,

Preposition

As a preposition, tan is translated as "because (of)", "by", and "from". Some speakers chiefly use tan as a preposition and not a content word.^{[citation needed]}This claim needs references to reliable sources.

mi tan ma [kasi alasa nasin awen telo a].

mi tan ma Kanata.

I'm from Canada.

kasi suli li ken kama tan kili lili　

kasi suli li ken kama tan kili lili.

A big plant can come from a small fruit.

ni li tan seme?

ni li tan seme?

Where is this from? (lit. this is from what?)
Why is that? (lit. this is because of what?)

mi pana e ijo pona tan ni> : mi olin e sina.

mi pana e ijo pona tan ni: mi olin e sina.

I gave something nice because you're dear to me.

pu

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

PREPOSITION  by, from, because of

ku

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

from⁵81–100% of respondents, reason⁵81–100% of respondents, because of⁴61–80% of respondents, by⁴61–80% of respondents, source⁴61–80% of respondents, behalf of²21–40% of respondents, basis²21–40% of respondents, origin²21–40% of respondents, motive²21–40% of respondents, cause²21–40% of respondents, purpose²21–40% of respondents, per²21–40% of respondents, since²21–40% of respondents, factor²21–40% of respondents, incentive²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for tan represents a curved arrow pointing backwards, pointing towards the origin.