telo
  | |
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| Pronunciation | /ˈte |
|---|---|
| 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 and fluids.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word telo is derived from Acadian French de l'eau, meaning "(some) water".[1]
Semantic space[edit | edit source]
The semantic space of telo includes liquids and fluids, amorphous substances and states of matter that conform to the shape of their container. It most often refers to liquid water, ranging in size from droplets to oceans, unless a different fluid can be inferred from context. Despite the prototypical focus on watery properties, telo can also refer to viscous fluids, such as honey.[2]
kala li tawa lon telokala li tawa lon telo.
The fish is swimming in water.
telo suli li lon insa ma tutelo suli li lon insa ma tu.
A big [body of] water is between the two lands.
telo can describe wetness. When used as a transitive verb, it usually refers to causing something to become wet, such as applying water and cleaning (with water).
mi telo e soweli mimi telo e soweli mi.
I wash my pet.
It may also refer to turning something into a fluid.
seli li telo e kiwenseli li telo e kiwen.
The heat melted the rock.
Extensions[edit | edit source]
Figuratively, telo can also describe abstract senses of fluidity, for objects or concepts that change over time or between situations. Speakers who use this sense may also contrast kiwen as "resisting change".[2]
pu[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as telo:[3]
fluid5, water5, wet4, wash3, pond3, pool3, drink2, shower2, lake2
sitelen pona[edit | edit source]
The sitelen pona glyph for telo () represents a wave as two curvy horizontal lines. Compare the glyph for kon.
sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]
The sitelen sitelen glyph for telo (telo) represents a wave with three peaks.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Word Origins. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Toki Pona.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 lipamanka. "toki pona dictionary". lipamanka.gay.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 360.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- "telo" on lipu Linku
- "telo" on lipu Wikipesija
- "telo" on English Wiktionary