tu: Difference between revisions

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{{Numbers}}
{{Numbers}}
'''{{tp|tu}}''' is {{a category}} [[number]] and [[content word]] relating to the number two.
'''{{tp|tu}}''' is {{a category}} [[content word]] and [[number|number word]] for the number two.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word {{tp|tu}} is derived from {{w|English language|English}} ''two''.<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref>
The word {{tp|tu}} is derived from {{w|English language|English}} ''two''.<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref>


==Semantic space==
==Function and semantic space==
The [[semantic space]] of {{tp|tu}} includes the number two. By extension, it includes division and separation into two parts, more frequently when used as a [[transitive verb]] (see also {{tp|[[kipisi]]}}). For dividing into more parts, the word {{tp|[[mute]]}} is generally used.
The word {{tp|tu}} functions primarily as the [[number|number word]] for two. As a [[modifier]], it indicates that the word or phrase it modifies describes two things. As a [[head]], it may be used to mean a pair of things, or the abstract concept of the number two.

{{Example
| mi lukin e waso <mark>tu</mark>.
| I see <mark>two</mark> birds.
}}

By extension, the [[semantic space]] of {{tp|tu}} it includes division and separation into two parts, more frequently when used as a [[transitive verb]] (see also {{tp|[[kipisi]]}}). For dividing into more parts, the words {{tp|[[mute]]}} or {{tp|kipisi}} are generally used instead.


{{Example
{{Example
|mi tu e kili.
|mi tu e kili.
|I slice the apple (in half).
|I divide the apple (into two parts).
}}
}}


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{{Example
{{Example
|ilo tu
|ilo tu
|two tools; cutting tool
|(usually) two tools; (in some contexts) cutting tool
}}
}}


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=={{tp|sitelen pona}}==
=={{tp|sitelen pona}}==
The {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}} glyph for {{tp|tu}} ({{UCSUR char|{{codepoint|tu}}}}) is two vertical lines. Like the glyph for {{tp|[[mute]]}} ({{sp|mute}}), it is probably derived from {{w|tally mark}}s (𝍷𝍷) or one or multiple systems based on them, such as {{w|counting rods}} (𝍡), {{w|Roman numerals}} (<span style="font-family:serif;">Ⅱ</span>, <span style="font-family:serif;">ⅱ</span>), or {{w|Brahmi numerals|Brahmi}} (𑁓) or {{w|Chinese numerals}} (二).
The {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}} glyph for {{tp|tu}} ({{UCSUR char|{{codepoint|tu}}}}) consists of two vertical lines. Like the glyph for {{tp|[[mute]]}} ({{sp|mute}}), it is probably derived from {{w|tally mark}}s (𝍷𝍷) or one or multiple systems based on them, such as {{w|counting rods}} (𝍡), {{w|Roman numerals}} (<span style="font-family:serif;">Ⅱ</span>, <span style="font-family:serif;">ⅱ</span>), or {{w|Brahmi numerals|Brahmi}} (𑁓) or {{w|Chinese numerals}} (二).


=={{tp|sitelen sitelen}}==
=={{tp|sitelen sitelen}}==

Latest revision as of 19:40, 21 May 2024

tu in sitelen pona
tu in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /tu/
Usage 2023: Core (100% ↗︎ )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Number, content word
Codepoint 󱥮 U+F196E

tu is a core content word and number word for the number two.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word tu is derived from English two.[1]

Function and semantic space[edit | edit source]

The word tu functions primarily as the number word for two. As a modifier, it indicates that the word or phrase it modifies describes two things. As a head, it may be used to mean a pair of things, or the abstract concept of the number two.

mi lukin e waso tu 

mi lukin e waso tu.

I see two birds.

By extension, the semantic space of tu it includes division and separation into two parts, more frequently when used as a transitive verb (see also kipisi). For dividing into more parts, the words mute or kipisi are generally used instead.

mi tu e kili 

mi tu e kili.

I divide the apple (into two parts).

There may be ambiguity when tu is used as a modifier, as it may be confused for the numeral.

ilo tu

ilo tu

(usually) two tools; (in some contexts) cutting tool

pu[edit | edit source]

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

NUMBER  two

ku[edit | edit source]

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as tu:[2]

two5, pair5, double4, both4, twice3, couple3, cut2, divide2

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

The sitelen pona glyph for tu (󱥮) consists of two vertical lines. Like the glyph for mute (mute), it is probably derived from tally marks (𝍷𝍷) or one or multiple systems based on them, such as counting rods (𝍡), Roman numerals (, ), or Brahmi (𑁓) or Chinese numerals (二).

sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]

The sitelen sitelen word glyph for tu (tu) is composed of a three-knobbed shape surrounding two knob shapes on a line. The origin of the glyph is unknown, but the knob shapes inside might represent tally marks of some kind. Compare the word glyph for wan (wan).

The word glyph can be rotated to face any direction, but it is usually written with the knobs facing away from the word(s) it modifies (facing right in left-to-right direction, and facing down in top-to-bottom direction).

Like with any monosyllabic word, the word wan may also optionally be written with a syllable glyph (TU).

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Word Origins". tokipona.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2002.
  2. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 381.

Further reading[edit | edit source]