toki pona lessons on Gemini - Preverbs

Preverbs

Preverb: Word that acts as a modifier for the action taking place in the predicate; they always come before the predicate content

wile: indicates a need for or a desire to do the predicate; it also means will, desire (noun) when standalone
sona: indicate knowledge about/knowledge on performing the predicate content; it also means knowledge when standalone
awen: indicates a resting, continuous or repeating state
kama: indicates a change of state; it also means to come when standalone
ken: indicates the material ability to do or be the predicate
lukin: indicates an attempt or intention to perform the predicate; it means to look, to perceive when standalone

jan li wile moku - humans need to eat
akesi li wile lape lon kiwen seli - the lizard wants to sleep on a warm rock
waso kala li sona tawa telo - Penguins know how to swim
o awen lon supa - Please, remain seated
jan lili kama sona e toki - The child is becoming knowledgeable about speaking - The child is learning how to speak
waso li lukin alasa e pipi linja - The bird is trying to hunt a worm

As with prepositions, the negation of a preverb goes directly after the word and not after the compound of preverb-predicate