a

sitelen pona for 'a'
sitelen sitelen for 'a'

etymology; tan

onomatopaeia of something similar to English's 'ah'.

usage; nasin kepeken

particle - emphasis (end of sentence)

The particle a adds emotion or emphasis. It can be used: 1. alone, 2. at the end of a sentence, or 3. at the end of a noun phrase.

-Sonja Lang, Toki Pona: The Language of Good (2014)

the particle 'a' is used to put emotion or emphasis. it functions somewhat similarly to the exclaimation mark (however, usage of exclaimation marks where applicable is still conventional.)

definition

(emphasis)

examples

phrase

concept

a!

ah!

sina suli a!

you're tall!

ike a

oh dear oh my

particle - sound

the sound 'a' is often used to express laughter.

definition

sound made during laughter.

examples

phrase

concept

a a a!

ha ha ha!

particle - affirmation

occasionally, 'a' is used similarly to English's 'ah' or 'oh.

definition

affirmation, acknowledgement

examples

phrase

concept

mi tawa.

a. o tawa pona!

i'm leaving.

ah. goodbye!

alternative usage; kepeken ante

particle - emphasis (beginning of sentence)

similar to ending 'a's, a at the beginning of a sentence also puts emphasis.

definition

(emphasis)

examples

phrase

concept

a sina suli!

you're tall!

a ike!

oh dear oh my

particle - emphasis (middle of sentence)

similar to beginning and ending 'a's, putting it in the middle of a sentence emphasizes a word.

definition

(emphasis)

examples

phrase

concept

ona li meli suli a!

she's a tall woman!

ona li meli a sulI!

she's a tall woman!

ona a li meli suli!

she's a tall woman!

adjective - as well

occasionally, someone would use 'a' like the alternative usage of kin - using it to mean 'as well' or 'also'.

definition

as well, also, too.

examples

phrase

concept

moku li pona. telo li pona a!

food is good. water is also good!

theories/analysis; sona nasa

noun/verb - exclaim

a controversial way to use the word, making it a content word. using it to mean an exclaimation or to exclaim.

definition

exclaim cry, shout, yell, shriek, interject

examples

phrase

concept

mi kute e a sina la mi pilin e ike.

when i hear your cry, i feel bad.

sina a e 'ike' la mi wile sona e ni: seme li ike?.

when you exclaim 'bad', i want to know this: what's bad?.

common phrases; toki

phrase

concept

a a a!

ha ha ha!

ike a!

oh dear.

oh my.

extra references; lipu ante

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