unpa

From sona pona, the Toki Pona wiki
unpa in sitelen pona
unpa in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /ˈun.pa/
Usage 2024: Core (98% → )2023: Core (98% ↗︎ )2022: Core (97%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Content word
Codepoint 󱥯 U+F196F

unpa is a core content word relating to sexual intercourse.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word unpa is derived from sound symbolism or onomatopeia,[1] possibly for humping, or influenced by English oomph ("sex appeal").[2]

Semantic space[edit | edit source]

The semantic space of unpa includes the act or an instance of sexual intercouse, regardless of the number, gender, or biological sex of the participants. As such, masturbation may also be described as such.[3]

sina wile ala wile unpa e mi

sina wile ala wile unpa e mi?

Do you want to have sex with me?

unpa li pona tawa mi

unpa li pona tawa mi.

I like sex / I enjoy having sex.

Its semantic space includes sexual reproduction, including non-animal reproduction, as in pollination;[4] and to some extent, asexual reproduction, such as mitosis.[5] These senses are overlap with the space of mama.

tenpo unpa la soweli mije li utala.

tenpo unpa la soweli mije li utala.

In the breeding season, the male animals fight.

unpa can refer to other intimate relations, but they are framed as either part of sex or in their relationship to sex.

pu[edit | edit source]

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

VERB  to have sexual or marital relations with

The phrasing of the definition has led some people to believe that unpa has to do with marriage. However, this is not the case. The phrase to have marital relations is an euphemism for having sex, typically between marital partners.

ku[edit | edit source]

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as unpa:[6]

sex5, sexual5, sexually5, fucking3, fuck2

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

The sitelen pona glyph for unpa (󱥯) is a curve shaped like a symmetrical trefoil knot, with one lobe pointing down. Common interpretations include the penis, the vagina, and a depiction of penetrative intercourse. In jan Sonja's handwriting, it also resembles the combination of the glyphs for pilin and palisa.

Some people write this symbol in an alternative way, which looks like a three-set Venn diagram.[citation needed]

sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]

The sitelen sitelen glyph for unpa (unpa) consists of a circle divided by a Ƨ-shaped line into two interlocking tapering shapes, like the Taijitu in Taoism. It may represent the combination of two beings during sex, or be a similar visual metaphor to "69". It could be inspired by the Korean taegeuk.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Word Origins". tokipona.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2002.
  2. jan Sonja [@sonjalang]. (6 February 2024). Message in #pana-sona. ma pona pi toki pona. Discord. "i assumed it came from the english word oomph".
  3. lipamanka. "toki pona dictionary". lipamanka.gay.
  4. jan Koko [@never_rare]. (27 September 2023). Informal poll in #sona-kulupu. ma pona pi toki pona. Discord. Retrieved 11 October 2023. "pollination is unpa".
    Is pollination included in the semantic space of unpa?
    Option Votes
    Yes 80
    No 16
    I don't know 15
    Other answer 2
  5. palisa jelo Natan [@bananatreelabs]. (27 September 2023). Informal poll in #sona-kulupu. ma pona pi toki pona. Discord. Retrieved 11 October 2023. "nimi unpa la do you think of the creation of an organism sin, the exchange of genetics/traits, or the intimacy as most relevant? […] [Multiple answers, up to 2 out of the first 3, are allowed]".
    Which of the following options are the most relevant to the semantic space of unpa?
    Option Votes
    Creation of a new organism is most important 6
    Exchange of genetic traits is most important 4
    Intimacy is most important 66
    None of the above are most important 19
    Something else is more important 2
  6. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 381.

Further reading[edit | edit source]