telo

telo
Pronunciation	/ˈte.lo/ 🔊 🔊
Usage	2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Content word
Codepoint	󱥪 U+F196A

telo is a core content word relating to liquids.

Etymology

The word telo is derived from Acadian French de l'eau, meaning "(some) water".

Semantic space

Fluids of different viscosities. Both may be telo.

The semantic space of telo includes liquids and other amorphous substances that conform to the shape of their container. telo most often and prototypically refers to liquid water, from droplets to oceans.

kala li tawa lon telo　

kala li tawa lon telo.

The fish is swimming in water.

telo can describe wetness. When used as a transitive verb, it usually refers to causing something to become wet or applying water, such as cleaning (with water) or watering plants.

mi telo e soweli mi

mi telo e soweli mi.

I wash my pet.

telo can also describe figurative senses of fluidity, for things that change over time or between situations.

Despite the prototypical focus on watery properties, telo can also refer to viscous fluids, such as honey.

pu

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

NOUN  water, liquid, fluid, wet substance; beverage

ku

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

fluid⁵81–100% of respondents, water⁵81–100% of respondents, wet⁴61–80% of respondents, wash³41–60% of respondents, pond³41–60% of respondents, pool³41–60% of respondents, drink²21–40% of respondents, shower²21–40% of respondents, lake²21–40% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for telo (󱥪) represents a wave as two curvy horizontal lines. Compare the glyph for kon.

sitelen sitelen

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Further reading

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