Commands are everywhere, from walk signals to the word “push” on a door. Commands are helpful to know what to do, like push on a door, as well as not to do, like walk into traffic. As such it is imperative that you learn how to use them. In this lesson, we will look at how to issue commands using the Toki Pona particle o.
Imperative
When used to make a command, o replaces the subject particle li and the subject is often dropped. You may remember that when using mi or sina as the only subject, li is dropped, but that is often not the case with o. O is our reminder that this sentence is a command, so dropping it would make things especially unclear.
Speaking to someone
To speak to someone, you would usually use their name, right? Well, in Toki Pona, you would use their name with the particle o at the end to get their attention. In this case o is being used as a signal that you are addressing a specific person or thing. When addressing someone and giving a command in the same sentence, you can either say the o twice, or combine them into a single one.
Words
- o | o – particle for imperative and vocative (talking about someone), should
- lape | lape – sleep, rest, take a break
- open | open – open, begin, start, beginning
- lukin | lukin – see, look, eye, read, watch, try to
- kute | kute – ear, listen, pay attention, obey
- utala | utala – fight, skirmish, compete, battle
- pana | pana – give, put, send, release
- insa | insa – inside, center, middle
- pakala | pakala – mistake, broken, damage, messed up
- pan | pan – grain-based foods: bread, noodles, rice, porridge, masa
Example Sentences
o utala ala a
o utala ala a! – Don’t fight!
o kute
o kute – Please listen
jan[alenasaa] o, o pana e poki lili
jan Ana o, o pana e poki lili – Anna, please hand me the small box
o open e musi
o open e musi – Please start the show
jan[esunlukinalenasa] o lape
jan Elan o lape – [Please] Sleep, Aaron
o pakala ala e pan a
o pakala ala e pan a! – Don’t mess up the bread!
Conclusion
Now you know how to recognize and give commands using the Toki Pona particle o. Now get out there and start giving commands! In the next lesson, Lesson 4, we will look at how to ask questions and give answers.