Toki Pona · 12 August 2026
A word a day week
toki
TO-ki · /ˈtoki/ · content word
- speech
- language
- to speak
- hello
The language’s own name begins in Tok Pisin tok and ultimately English talk, then expands to cover speech, language, conversation, and greeting.
Borrowed luggage
Where it came from
Tok Pisintok
Toki Ponatoki
Toki is borrowed from Tok Pisin tok, ‘word’ or ‘speech’, itself from English talk.
- Tok Pisin tok
- English talk
Tiny sentence
toki!
speech / greeting
“Hello!”
Toki Pona content words are flexible. Here toki works as a greeting; elsewhere it can name speech or act as ‘speak’.
Receipts
Sources and cautions
The immediate donor and the donor’s own source are kept separate. Toki Pona’s current meaning range is not limited to the donor word’s range.