toki pona lessons on Gemini - Basic syntax: Subject, predicate, direct object

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Basic syntax: Subject, predicate, direct object

Intransitive predicates: [subject] [(li) predicate]

Subject: The "main character" who executes or is described by the predicate
Predicate: That which describes what the Subject is or is doing
li: Particle that marks the beginning of a predicate in toki pona

Examples

soweli li suli · soweli li suli - The creature is large
jan sona li toki pona · jan sona li toki pona - The wise person speaks well

If the subject is mi or sina as standalone words, the particle li is ommitted, leaving us with: [mi/sina][predicate]

mi lili - I am young

Transitive predicates: [subject] [(li) predicate {(e) direct object}]

Direct Object: Orients the action expressed in the predicate
e: Particle that marks the beginning of a direct object fragment in toki pona

Example

ona li pali e sitelen - They are making an image - they are painting a picture

sitelen acts as a compass for the action pali, it tells us what it's directed towards.

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