Beginner's Resource of Toki Pona

by kule epiku Atawan


toki! My name is kule epiku Atawan, and this is my resource for Toki Pona! Despite the name, this resource is meant to help people on any scale of toki pona. If you are a beginner who wants to learn the words, or an experienced speaker who may have just forgotten a definition, this document can help!

To the left, you will see a list of links to help you learn or practice toki pona. Out of all of the links, I most certainly recommend checking out the toki pona Discord Server, ma pona pi toki pona. There are many people on there who are able to answer any questions you have about toki pona. Additionally, voice chats where toki pona is spoken are very frequent, so you can always stop in to listen or even try talking!

Below is a list of words commonly used in toki pona, their definitions, some examples, and some other cool facts about each word. Please note that various sources list different words. Many sources only list the words in lipu pu, the original toki pona book. The most accurate sources list the words in lipu ku, the toki pona dictionary, which are considered to be nimi ku suli. This guide shows a few more than just the nimi ku suli- basically, all of the ones that I tend to use. There are more obscure words which don't come up as often; if you encounter a word that you haven't seen before, it may be in either lipu Linku or nimi ale.
Courses:
12 Days of sona pi toki pona by jan Misali
lipu sona pona by /dev/urandom
Practice:
Library of toki pona by kala pona Tonyu
toki pona Discord Server
toki pona Gaming Youtube Channel


a

Everything else is just as complex.

Definition: (emphasis, emotion or confirmation)
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Onomatopoeia.
Example: ni li suli mute a! (This is very, very big!)
Tips and Tricks:

akesi

The golden idol of toki pona.

Definition: non-cute animal; reptile, amphibian
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "hagedis," meaning "lizard."
Example: akesi suli li lon tenpo pini. (Big reptiles were present in the past.)
Tips and Tricks:

ala

[This flavor text left intentionally blank.]

Definition: no, not, zero
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "არა," or "ara," meaning "no."
Examples: mi sona ala e nasin pi toki ni. (I don't know how to speak this language.) sina sona ala sona? (Do you know?)
Tips and Tricks:

alasa

Reminder that toki pona is based on hunter-gatherer values.

Definition: to hunt, forage
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Acadian French "à la chasse," meaning "hunting," from French "chasser," which means "to hunt."
Example: jan ante li alasa e kili lili. (Other people forage for the small fruit.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

ale

ale li pona.

Definition: all; abundant, countless, bountiful, every, plentiful; abundance, everything, life, universe; one hundred
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "alle," meaning "all."
Example: jan ale li ike. taso mi ike ala. (Everyone is bad except for me.)
Tips and Tricks:
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anpa

The universal word for "land above."

Definition: bowing down, downward, humble, lowly, dependent
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Acadian French "en bas," meaning "below."
Example: mi kepeken e nasin anpa. (I take the downward road.)
Tips and Tricks:

ante

And kule ante is magenta.

Definition: different, altered, changed, other
Part of Speech: content word, preposition (unconventional)
Etymology: From Dutch "ander," meaning "other," or "different."
Example: ona li ante e nasin pi musi ni. (They changed the rules of the game.)
Tips and Tricks:
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anu

sina anu anu anun't e nimi?

Definition: or
Part of Speech: particle, conjunction
Etymology: From Georgian "ან," or "an," meaning "or."
Example: sina ken pali anu musi; seme li pona tawa sina? (You can work or play; which one do you think is good?)
Tips and Tricks:
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apeja

APEJA LI MI, APEJA LI MI

Definition: shame, guilt
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "häpeä," meaning "shame."
Example: mi pilin apeja lili tan ijo pi lukin sina. (I'm feeling a bit guilty because of what you saw.)

awen

o awen pona, lon weka sina.

Definition: enduring, kept, protected, safe, waiting, staying; to continue to
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Dutch "houden," meaning "keep, care for, hold. (in a particular state)"
Examples: ona li moli ala la ona li awen. (If it's not dead, it continues.) taso, pilin mi la ona li awen pakala. (However, I think it will continue to break.)
Tips and Tricks:

e

It's the one particle everyone seems to forget.

Definition: (before the direct object)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: A priori.
Example: mi pana e telo tawa sina. (I give water to you.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

en

And another particle which just straight up isn't used.

Definition: (between multiple subjects)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: From Dutch "en," meaning "and."
Example: jan Jepo en jan Tenli li pali e lipu sin. (Jepo and Tenli are making a new book.)
Tips and Tricks:
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epiku

Finally, a new content word that starts with e! This is so epic.

Definition: epic, awesome, to a greater extent
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "epic."
Example: ona li open e tawa epiku. (They embarked on an epic journey.)
Fun Knowledge:

esun

In my opinion, this is one of the weeker words.

Definition: market, shop, fair, bazaar, business transaction
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: Of Akan origin.
Example: mi tawa esun. (I go to the store.)
Fun Knowledge:

ijo

Its most common usage is in example sentences.

Definition: thing, phenomenon, object, matter
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "io," meaning "something," which is from Romance "i-," which is the root of relative pronouns.
Example: ijo ni li kama sewi. (This thing is rising.)
Fun Knowledge:

ike

ike pike sike sike.

Definition: bad, negative; non-essential, irrelevant
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "ilkeä," meaning "mean," or "wicked."
Example: sina pakala e supa sike? ni li ike a! (You broke a table? That's terrible!)
Tips and Tricks:

ilo

ilo nanpa li ken iloweka e nanpa!

Definition: tool, implement, machine, device
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "ilo," meaning "tool."
Example: mi pali e tomo kepeken ilo. (I made a house with a tool.)
Fun Knowledge:

insa

Whenever a word sounds kinda like English, assume it has Tok Pisin etymology.

Definition: centre, content, inside, between; internal organ, stomach
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "insait," meaning "inside."
Example: moku ni li pakala e insa mi. (This food hurts my stomach.)
Tips and Tricks:

isipin

It's fair to be skeptical about this word.

Definition: to think, to imagine, to believe
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tagalog "isipin," meaning "to think."
Example: mi isipin e sina la olin mi li kama suli. (When I think about you, my love grows stronger.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge

jaki

Not an accurate description of yakisoba.

Definition: disgusting, obscene, sickly, toxic, unclean, unsanitary
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "yucky."
Example: tomo ni li jaki. (This house is gross.)
Tips and Tricks:

jan

Cut out the middlejan.

Definition: human being, person, somebody
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Cantonese "人," or "jan," meaning "person."
Example: jan ale li sona e ma ni. (Every person knows about this place.)
Fun Knowledge:

jasima

Usually pronounced "jasima." "jasima." "jasima." "jasima." "kulijo!"

Definition: reflect, resound, mirror, be on the opposite/polar end of
Part of Speech: content word, preposition (unconventional)
Etymology: From Turkish "yansıtmak," meaning "to reflect," or "to reverberate."
Example: tenpo mi li tenpo jasima sina. (My time is the opposite of your time.)
Fun Knowledge:

jelo

palisa jelo li kili nanpa wan!

Definition: yellow, yellowish
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "yellow."
Example: palisa jelo ni li moku pona. (This yellow stick is good food.)

jo

The opposite of jon't is jo-positive.

Definition: to have, carry, contain, hold
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "有," or "yǒu," meaning "have."
Example: mi jo e lipu pi sitelen tawa. (I'm carrying a book about movies.)
Fun Knowledge:

kala

jan mute li kala! penguins li kala.

Definition: fish, marine animal, sea creature
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "kala," meaning "fish."
Example: mi wile lanpan e seli tan kala sewi. (I must steal fire from the fish gods.)
Fun Knowledge:

kalama

kalama seli li SKHKSHKSHKSKH

Definition: to produce a sound; recite, utter aloud
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "galama," meaning "fuss," or "noise."
Example: kalama mute li lon. (There's lots of noise.)
Fun Knowledge:

kama

kala (li) kama kamalawala ala la kala (li) kama lawa tawa ma kala (li) ken kalama tawa kala lawa.

Definition: arriving, coming, future, summoned; to become, manage to, succeed in
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "kamap," meaning "arrive," or "happen."
Examples: kama pi jan suli li suli tawa kulupu ni. (The arrival of the ambassador is important to this town.) mi kama pali e ni (I manage to do this.)
Tips and Tricks:

kapesi

ona li moli kapesi.

Definition: brown, gray
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Greek "καφές," or "kafés," meaning "light brown."
Example: sike ni li kapesi. (This circle is brown.)
Fun Knowledge:

kasi

kasi ike mute li lon ma ni! kasi ike li lon!

Definition: plant, vegetation; herb, leaf
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "kasvi," meaning "plant."
Example: mi sona ala e kasi pi loje laso. (I don't know of a purple plant.)
Fun Knowledge:

ken

In the context of possibility...

Definition: to be able to, be allowed to, can, may; possible
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "ken," meaning "can."
Examples: sina ken pali e kalama musi sin. (You could make a new song.) ken pi kama mi li lili. (The possibility of my arrival is slim.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

kepeken

Either the prettiest word or the ugliest word, but either way we can all agree that it's too long.

Definition: to use, with, by means of
Part of Speech: content word, preposition
Etymology: From Dutch "gebruiken," meaning "to use."
Examples: ona li pali e lupa suli kepeken luka ona taso. (He made a giant hole using only his hands.) mi wile kepeken e ilo ni. (I need to use this tool.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

kijetesantakalu

kijetesantakalu kijetesantakalu (thirty)

Definition: any animal from the Procyonidae family, such as raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, olingos, ringtails and cacomistles
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "kierteishäntäkarhu," meaning "kinkajou."
Example: kijetesantakalu li suwi mute a! (Racoons are very cute!)
Fun Knowledge:

kili

kili lili li lili kili

Definition: fruit, vegetable, mushroom
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "ხილი," or "xili," meaning "fruit."
Example: mi moku e kili loje. (We are eating a red fruit.)
Fun Knowledge:

kin

Somewhere in between "has a meaning" and "doesn't have a meaning."

Definition: too, also, as well
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Finnish "-kin," meaning "too," or "also."
Example: sina kute e kalama musi ni? mi kute e ona kin! (You've heard this song? I've heard it too!)
Tips and Tricks:
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kipisi

TEN WORDS THEY DON'T TEACH YOU IN PU!!

Definition: split, cut, slice
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Iñupiat "kipriruk," meaning "cut," or from Swahili "kipisi," meaning "sliver."
Example: ona li kipisi e pan. (He sliced the bread.)
Tips and Tricks:

kiwen

In some, admittedly bad, dialects, this means -1.

Definition: hard object, metal, rock, stone
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "kiven," meaning "stone."
Example: mi pana e kiwen tawa telo. (I threw the stone into the water.)
Tips and Tricks:

ko

jan ko's jan's ko's jan ko.

Definition: clay, clinging form, dough, semi-solid, paste, powder
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Cantonese "膏," or "gou," meaning "cream."
Example: ko mute li lon ma ni. (There is lots of mud in this area.)

kokosila

ni li lipu pi jan pi sona toki pona ala la ken la mi kokosila...

Definition: speaking a language other than Toki Pona in an environment where Toki Pona is more appropriate
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "krokodili," meaning "to speak among Esperantists in a language besides Esperanto."
Example: ni li tenpo pi toki pona taso la o kokosila ala! (This is a time for Toki Pona only, so don't interacting with the official Toki Pona Dictionary by Sonja Lang.)
Fun Knowledge:

kon

kon kon = secret agent breath

Definition: air, breath; essence, spirit; hidden reality, unseen agent
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "空氣," or "kōngqì," meaning "air."
Example: kon pi nimi ni li seme? (What's the spirit of this word?)
Fun Knowledge:

ku

Also known as pu-rists' bane.

Definition: interacting with the official Toki Pona dictionary by Sonja Lang
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: A priori
Example: o toki pona e jan kepeken ku. (Convert people to toki pona by interacting with the official Toki Pona dictionary by Sonja Lang.)

kule

hey, mi kule!

Definition: colourful, pigmented, painted
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "couleur," meaning "color."
Example: kule pi sitelen ni li ante tawa sitelen ante. (The colors of this picture are different to other pictures.)
Tips and Tricks:
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kulupu

kulupu li jan mute.

Definition: community, company, group, nation, society, tribe
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tongan "kulupu," meaning "group."
Example: mi weka tan kulupu ike. (I left the bad group.)
Tips and Tricks:

kute

"have I been muted this whole time? oh that's neat."

Definition: ear; to hear, listen; pay attention to, obey
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "écouter," meaning "listen."
Example: mi pini e kalama musi mi! sina wile ala wile kute? (I finished my song! Do you want to listen?)
Fun Knowledge:

la

The word I have been dreading having to explain.

Definition: (between the context phrase and the main phrase)
Part of Speech: particle, conjunction
Etymology: From Acadian French "-la," which is a proximal and topical suffix.
Examples: mi pini e pali mi la mi ken musi. (When I finish my work, I can play.) tenpo pini la mi kama sona e nimi ale. (I've learned all of the words.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

lanpan

What is this lanpannery?

Definition: take, seize, catch, receive, get
Part of Speech: content word, preverb (unconventional)
Etymology: From Greek "λαμβάνω," or "lamváno," meaning "take."
Example: mi lanpan e leko tan jan ante. (I took a block from someone else.)
Fun Knowledge:

lape

If two people go to sleep, it's considered bilapeial.

Definition: sleeping, resting
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "slapen," meaning "sleep."
Example: tenpo ni la mi weka tan lape. (Now, I'm leaving because of sleep.)
Fun Knowledge:

laso

In Welsh, "glas" can also mean "inexperienced."

Definition: blue, green
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Welsh "glas," meaning "blue."
Example: ijo ni li laso. kin la, lon ala pi sona pali li open. (This thing is blue. Also, I am starting to run out of examples.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

lawa

lawa suli moment.

Definition: head, mind; to control, direct, guide, lead, own, plan, regulate, rule
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "глава," or "glava," meaning "head."
Example: mi lawa e tomo mi. (I own my house.)

leko

musi Manka li musi leko.

Definition: stairs, square, block
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "lego."
Example: mi pana e leko tawa sina. (I give you a block.)

len

Exclusively used in the phrase "len noka."

Definition: cloth, clothing, fabric, textile; cover, layer of privacy
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "linge," meaning "clothing."
Example: jan mute li kepeken e len tan ni: ona li wile len e sijelo ona. (People use clothes because of this: They want to cover their bodies.)
Fun Knowledge:

lete

Raw power.

Definition: cold, cool; uncooked, raw
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "frette," meaning "cold."
Example: tomo mi li lete mute a tan seme? (Why is my room so very cold?)
Fun Knowledge:

li

Arguably the most important word.

Definition: (between any subject and its verb, and introduces a new verb for the same subject)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: From Esperanto "li," meaning "he."
Example: ona li sona li awen pana e ijo. (She knows, and continues to give the thing.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

lili

A little less important.

Definition: little, small, short; few; a bit; young
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "liklik," meaning "small."
Example: mi pilin lape lili tan lon mi pi supa lape. (I'm feeling a little tired, because I'm on my bed.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

linja

My favorite toki pona word. :>

Definition: long and flexible thing; cord, hair, rope, thread, yarn
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "linja," meaning "line."
Example: ona li tawa lon linja tawa kasi suli. (She walked in a straight line to the tree.)
Fun Knowledge:

lipu

You're looking at one of these right now!

Definition: flat object; book, document, card, paper, record, website
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "lippu," meaning "flag," or "banner."
Example: mi pali e lipu pi jan sin pi toki pona. (I made a website for new people of toki pona.)
Fun Knowledge:

loje

Bonus musi: either lojelo or jeloje can be orange.

Definition: red, reddish
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "rooie," meaning "red."
Example: loje li kule pi pona mute tawa mi. (Red is a really good color, to me.)

lon

The only word you ever need.

Definition: located at, present at, real, true, existing
Part of Speech: content word, preposition
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "long," meaning "at," or "on."
Example: tenpo mute la mi lon supa lape mi. (Most of the time, I am on my bed.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

luka

luka pimeja li kama tawa sina lon pimeja.

Definition: arm, hand, tactile organ; five
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "рука," or "ruka," meaning "hand," or "arm."
Example: luka mi li pilin ike tan seme? (Why is my hand feeling bad?)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

lukin

o lukin e toki mi!

Definition: look at, see, examine, observe, read, watch; to seek, look for, try to
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "lukim," meaning "look at."
Example: mi ken ala lukin e sina tan ni: oko mi li pini. (I can't see you because my eyes are closed.)
Fun Knowledge:

lupa

If you take the lid off of a poki, it becomes a lupa.

Definition: door, hole, orifice, window
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Lojban "clupa," meaning "loop."
Example: lupa mi li pana e kon wawa mute tawa mi! (My window is letting in a ton of wind to me!)
Fun Knowledge:

ma

ma pona pi toki pona, AKA tan pi toki nasa.

Definition: earth, land; outdoors, world; country, territory; soil
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "maa," meaning "land."
Example: sina lon ma seme? mi lon ma Mewika. (What country are you from? I am from America.)
Tips and Tricks:

majuna

One of the few homological words in toki pona.

Definition: old, aged
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "maljuna," meaning "old."
Example: mi wile misikeke e jan majuna. (I want to help old people.)

mama

mama mi a, epikuntu a! makaloni li suwi!

Definition: parent, ancestor; creator, originator; caretaker, sustainer
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "მამა," or "mama," meaning "father."
Example: mama mi li wile e pona tawa mi. (My parents want the best for me.)

mani

And now, we laugh at the definition of "domesticated animal" and move on.

Definition: money, cash, savings, wealth; large domesticated animal
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "money."
Example: jan ale li wile jo e mani mute. (Everyone wants to have a lot of money.)
Tips and Tricks:

meli

a! mi meli.

Definition: woman, female, feminine person; wife
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "meri," meaning "woman."
Example: ona li jan meli pona. (She is a good woman.)
Tips and Tricks:

meso

o sona e ni: meso li sama supa mije.

Definition: middle, medium, mediocre, neither one
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Greek "μέσος," or "mésos," meaning "middle."
Example: soweli li awen lon meso pi jan tu. (The animal stayed in the middle of the people.)

mi

a! mi mi.

Definition: I, me, we, us
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "mi," meaning "me."
Example: ken la mi ken pali e lipu pi jan sin pi toki pona li pana e ona tawa jan mute. (Maybe, I can make a website for new people of toki pona, and give it to a ton of people.)
Tips and Tricks:

mije

a! jan ante li mije.

Definition: man, male, masculine person; husband
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "mies," meaning "man."
Example: ona li jan mije pona. (He is a good man.)

misikeke

The only pre-pu word discovered post-pu.

Definition: medicine
Part of Speech: content word, preverb (unconventional)
Etymology: From Ojibwe "mashkiki," meaning "medicine."
Example: jan seme li ken misikeke e mi? (Who can help me?)
Tips and Tricks:

moku

o moku e kala pona. omekapo!

Definition: to eat, drink, consume, swallow, ingest
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Japanese "モグモグ," or "mogumogu," meaning "munching."
Example: mi wile moku e moku ale!! (I want to eat all of the food!)
Tips and Tricks:

moli

"mi tawa tan sina la, jan ike li weka tan ni." "lon, taso ona li moli e mi!"

Definition: dead, dying
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "mourir," meaning "die."
Example: o alasa moli ala. (Try not to die.)

monsi

And now, you may never forget the etymology again

Definition: back, behind, rear
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Acadian French "mon tchu," meaning "my ass."
Example: mi wile tawa lon monsi sina. (I want to go behind you.)

monsuta

a, monsutatesu li lon. ona li monsuta e mi!

Definition: fear, monster
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Japanese "モンスタ," or "monsuta," meaning "monster."
Example: o tawa ala lon ma ni tan ni: monsuta li lon. (Don't go there because monsters are about.)
Fun Knowledge:

mu

mu? mu.

Definition: any animal noise
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: Onomatopoeia
Example: ona li toki ala. ona li mu taso. (He's not talking, he's just making animal noises.)
Fun Knowledge:

mun

O MOKU E MUN!!

Definition: moon, night sky object, star
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "moon."
Example: mun pi tenpo ni li pona lukin. (The stars right now look very pretty.)
Tips and Tricks:

musi

musi Majon li musi pona tawa musi ale.

Definition: artistic, entertaining, frivolous, playful, recreation
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "amuzi," meaning "have fun."
Example: tenpo ni la, mi musi e ilo ni! (Right now, I'm playing with this tool!)

mute

lili mute is very small.

Definition: many, a lot, more, much, several, very; quantity; 20
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "multe," meaning "a lot."
Example: jan mute li lon tomo ni. (Many people are in this room.)
Tips and Tricks:

n

o a e n.

Definition: (thinking, pondering, humming)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: Onomatopoeia
Example: n, mi sona ala e wile mi. (Hmm, I'm not sure what I want.)
Fun Knowledge:

namako

mi kama nanpa anpa lon musi majon la mi pilin namako lili.

Definition: embellishment, spice; extra, additional
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Hindi "नमक," or "namak," meaning "salt."
Example: mi wile pana e namako tawa kalama ni! (I want to bring some spice to this beat!)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

nanpa

*inhales* ILO NANPA LI ILO PI NASIN NANPA PI TOKI PONA

Definition: -th (ordinal number); numbers
Part of Speech: content word, preposition
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "namba," meaning "number."
Example: mi pali e pali nanpa lon tomo sona. (I'm doing number work at the college.) ona li palisa e sike nanpa tu tu. (They hit the fourth ball.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

nasa

The true etymology of nasa o.o

Definition: unusual, strange; foolish, crazy; drunk, intoxicated
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "nasau," meaning "stupid."
Example: o kepeken ala e nimi nasa. (Don't use strange words.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

nasin

divine path = nasin sewi = floating highway

Definition: way, custom, doctrine, method, path, road
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "način начин," meaning "way," or "method."
Example: nasin pi ken sona li nasin pona. (An understandable way is a good way.)

nena

"Why are we climbing a big nose?"

Definition: bump, button, hill, mountain, nose, protuberance
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "nenä," meaning "nose."
Example: mi wile tawa lon nena ni. (I want to climb that mountain.)

ni

Absolutely Serious musi

Definition: this, that
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Cantonese "呢," or "ni," meaning "this."
Example: sina wile e kili ni, anu kili ante? (Do you want this fruit, or a different one?)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

nimi

NIMI SIN!

Definition: name, word
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "nimi," meaning "name."
Example: nimi mi li kule Atawan! (My name is Atawan the color!)
Fun Knowledge:

noka

Bonuses for the nimi nanpa.

Definition: foot, leg, organ of locomotion; bottom, lower part
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "noga" or "нога," meaning "foot."
Example: tan seme la noka mi li pilin pakala? (Why does my leg hurt?)
Fun Knowledge:

o

o boy.

Definition: hey! O! (vocative, imperative, or optative)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: From Georgian "-ო" or "-o," the vocative suffix.
Example: o pali e ijo pi wile sina. (Do whatever you want to.)
Tips and Tricks:

oko

o moku ala e oko sina. This is just general advice.

Definition: eye, ocular, visual
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "оko" or "око," meaning "eye."
Example: waso li oko e mi. (The bird is eyeing me.)
Fun Knowledge:

olin

o olin e jan ale!

Definition: love, have compassion for, respect, show affection to
Part of Speech: content word, preverb (unconventional)
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "volim" or "волим," meaning "I love."
Example: pilin mi la mi olin e sina. (I think I love you.)

ona

ona li monsuta e jan.

Definition: he, she, it, they
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "ona" or "она," meaning "she."
Example: mi jo e palisa lili. mi kepeken ona la mi ken pali e ijo. (I have a small stick. If I use it, I can make something.)
Tips and Tricks:

open

The only english cognate.

Definition: begin, start; open; turn on
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From English "open."
Example: o open e suno lili. (Turn on the light.)

pakala

lawa.exe li pakala.

Definition: botched, broken, damaged, harmed, messed up
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "bagarap," meaning "accident," from English "bugger up."
Example: ike la mi pakala e suno lili. (Oops, I accidentaly broke the light.)
Fun Knowledge:

pake

o pake e nasa sina!

Definition: stop, cease
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Acadian French "barrer," meaning "to lock."
Example: sinpin li pake e jan lete pi tawa anpa. (The wall blocked the downhill skier.)
Fun Knowledge:

pali

pali li ike...

Definition: do, take action on, work on; build, make, prepare
Part of Speech: content word, preverb (unconventional)
Etymology: From Esperanto "fari," meaning "do," from Italian "fare."
Example: o pali e ijo pi wile sina. (Make something you want to make.)
Fun Knowledge:

palisa

"have I been muted this whole time? oh that's neat."

Definition: long hard thing; branch, rod, stick
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "палица" or "palica," meaning "bat" or "rod."
Example: mi tawa wawa e sike kepeken palisa. (I forcefully hit the ball using a stick.)

pan

pan sike suwi = kuki

Definition: cereal, grain; barley, corn, oat, rice, wheat; bread, pasta
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Romance "pan," meaning "bread."
Example: pan suwi ni li pona tawa uta mi! (This sweet bread tastes good!)

pana

o pana, o pana mute!

Definition: give, send, emit, provide, put, release
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "panna," meaning "put."
Example: sina ken ala ken pana e wile sina tawa mi? (Can you give me what you want?)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

pi

PI SINA

Definition: (used to regroup modifiers)
Part of Speech: particle
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "bilong," meaning "of," from English "belong."
Example: mi moku e kili pi suwi mute. (I'm eating a very sweet fruit.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

pilin

pilin

Definition: heart (physical or emotional); feeling (an emotion, a direct experience)
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "pilim," meaning "feel."
Example: mi wile pilin e kala waso lete! (I would like to feel the penguin!)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

pimeja

tenpo ni li tenpo pimeja pi jan monsuta.

Definition: black, dark, unlit
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "pimeä," meaning "dark."
Example: tenpo pimeja la mi o lape. (When it gets dark I should sleep.)
Fun Knowledge:

pini

The finished time...

Definition: ago, completed, ended, finished, past
Part of Speech: content word, preverb
Etymology: From Acadian French "fini," meaning "finished."
Example: tenpo seme la sina pini pali e suno? (When will you finish making the sun?)
Tips and Tricks:

pipi

pipi pona! Bees!

Definition: bug, insect, ant, spider
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "bibette," meaning "bug."
Example: pipi pona li tawa kasi li alasa e ko tawa pali pi telo suwi. (The bee goes to flowers and gathers pollen for the creation of honey.)
Fun Knowledge:

poka

o tawa noka, lon poka mi...

Definition: hip, side; next to, nearby, vicinity
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "бока" or "boka," meaning "side."
Example: mi ken ala ken pana e supa lape mi lon poka pi supa sina? (Can I put my bed beside yours?)
Fun Knowledge:

poki

Try not to confuse this with the previous word.

Definition: container, bag, bowl, box, cup, cupboard, drawer, vessel
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "bokis," meaning "box."
Example: o pana e lawa sina tawa poki ni. (Put your head in this box.)

pona

The second easiest word to remember

Definition: good, positive, useful; friendly, peaceful; simple
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "bona," meaning "good."
Example: mi wile pana e pilin pona tawa jan ale! (I want to give good feelings to everyone!)
Fun Knowledge:

powe

jan Tenli li jan powe ala.

Definition: unreal, false, untrue, pretend, deceive, trickster
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "pas vrai," meaning "not real."
Example: o tawa ala lon sinpin anpa powe. (Don't step on the fake floor.)
Fun Knowledge:

pu

pu is not the book, pu is interacting with the book.

Definition: interacting with the official Toki Pona book by Sonja Lang
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "樸," or "pǔ," meaning "inherent quality."
Example: mi pu. (I am interacting with the official Toki Pona book by Sonja Lang.)
Fun Knowledge:

sama

o sama e ona la sina pini.

Definition: same, similar; each other; sibling, peer, fellow {see pata}; as, like
Part of Speech: content word, preposition
Etymology: From Finnish "sama," meaning "same."
Example: mi kepeken tenpo mute sama sina. (I take a lot of time, just like you.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

seli

o SELI e pali.

Definition: fire; cooking element, chemical reaction, heat source
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "ცხელი," or "cxeli," meaning "hot."
Example: ike la tomo mi li seli mute. (My room is really hot, which is bad.)
Fun Knowledge:

selo

selo??

Definition: outer form, outer layer; bark, peel, shell, skin; boundary
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Esperanto "ŝelo," meaning "skin."
Example: monsuta li lon selo pi tomo mi. (A monster is at the edge of my house.)
Fun Knowledge:

seme

sina pali e seme li moku e seme li awen e seme li lon seme li pilin seme...

Definition: question word
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "什麼," or "shénme," meaning "what."
Example: sina pilin seme? (How are you?)
Tips and Tricks:

sewi

toki sewi: The Language of the Gods

Definition: area above, highest part, something elevated; awe-inspiring, divine, sacred, supernatural
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Georgian "ზევით," or "sevit," meaning "upwards."
Example: mi lukin tawa nasin sewi. (I look to the path of divinity.)
Fun Knowledge:

sijelo

here is some bad pun about the word sijelo

Definition: body (of person or animal), physical state, torso
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "тијело," or "tijelo," meaning "body."
Example: kiwen utala li ken pakala e sijelo. (Bullets can hurt your body.)

sike

sina tawa sike e mi sama sike pi kalama musi.

Definition: round or circular thing; ball, circle, cycle; of one year
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "circle."
Example: ilo musi ni li tawa sike. (This toy spins in a circle.)

sin

kama pona, jan sin ale o! sina lukin e ni la ken pona la sina jan sin pi toki pona

Definition: new, fresh; additional, another, extra
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "新," or "xīn," meaning "new."
Example: jan sin li lon kulupu! (There are new people in our group!)

sina

mi sona mi e sina.

Definition: you, your
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "sinä," meaning "you."
Example: sina ken lukin tawa anpa. (You could look beneath.)
Tips and Tricks:

sinpin

o isipin e sinpin sin pi pin sin.

Definition: face, foremost, front, wall
Part of Speech: content word, positional noun
Etymology: From Cantonese "前邊" or "tsin bin," meaning "in front."
Example: mi tawa lon sinpin sina la mi ken awen e sina. (If I stay in front of you, I can protect you.)

sitelen

A parked car is a sitelen??

Definition: image, picture, representation, symbol, mark, writing
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "schilderen," meaning "paint."
Example: sitelen sin sina li pona mute tawa lukin! (Your new painting is very nice to look at!)
Fun Knowledge:

soko

soko a

Definition: fungus, fungi
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "სოკო" or "sok'o" meaning "mushroom."
Example: soko ni li nasa. (This mold is weird.)
Fun Knowledge:

sona

tomo sona

Definition: know, be skilled in, be wise about, have information on; (pv.) know how to
Part of Speech: content word, preverb (unconventional)
Etymology: From Georgian "ცოდნა" or "codna" meaning "knowledge."
Example: mi sona e ona tan lipu ni. (I knew it from a book.)
Fun Knowledge:

soweli

soweli li suwi mute!!

Definition: animal, beast, land mammal
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Georgian "ცხოველი" or "cxoveli," meaning "beastly animal."
Example: soweli mute li tawa lon tenpo pi kama seli. (Many animals migrate in the spring.)
Tips and Tricks:

suli

This is an important word.

Definition: big, heavy, large, long, tall; important; adult
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "suuri," meaning "big."
Example: kili ni li suli a! (This fruit is very big!)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

suno

suno li ken pona e jan!!

Definition: sun; light, brightness, glow, radiance, shine; light source
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "suno," meaning "sun."
Example: suno li lon la mi o pini lape. (When the sun comes up, I should finish sleeping.)
Tips and Tricks:

supa

supa nena mi li lon supa lape mi li lon supa anpa mi.

Definition: horizontal surface, thing to put or rest something on
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "surfaco," meaning "surface."
Example: sina ken ala ken misikeke e mi tawa tawa pi supa ni? (Could you help me with moving this desk?)
Fun Knowledge:

suwi

supa lape li suwi!! o moku e ona!

Definition: sweet, fragrant; cute, innocent, adorable
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "suwi," meaning "sweet."
Example: tenpo pini la mi luka e soweli suwi! (Yesterday I got to pet a cute animal!)
Tips and Tricks:

tan

TAN SEME

Definition: by, from, because of; origin, cause
Part of Speech: content word, preposition, conjunction (unconventional)
Etymology: From Cantonese "從" or "tsung," meaning "from."
Example: jan mute li tan ma Epanja. (Many people are from Spain.) tan seme la sina pali e ni? (Why did you do that?)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

taso

toki pona taso...

Definition: but, however; only
Part of Speech: modifier particle, conjunction, content word (unconventional)
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "tasol," meaning "only."
Example: mi wile e sitelen taso. (I only want a picture.) ona li pona, taso ona li nasa lili. (It's good, but it's also a little strange.)
Tips and Tricks:
Fun Knowledge:

tawa

mi tawa!... ala.

Definition: going to, toward; for; from the perspective of; moving
Part of Speech: content word, preposition
Etymology: From English "towards."
Example: mi pana e ni tawa sina. (I give this to you.)
Tips and Tricks:

telo

telo pimeja li ken wawa e sina.

Definition: water, liquid, fluid, wet substance; beverages
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "de l’eau," meaning "some water."
Example: ko mute li lon poka pi ma telo. (There is lots of sand beside the lake.)
Fun Knowledge:

tenpo

It's time.

Definition: time, duration, moment, occasion, period, situation
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "tempo," meaning "time."
Example: ona li ken kama lon tenpo kama. (They can come in the coming time.)
Tips and Tricks:

toki

The first easiest word to remember.

Definition: communicate, say, speak, talk, use language, think; hello
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Tok Pisin "tok," meaning "talk."
Example: mi ken ala toki lon tenpo ni. (I can't talk right now.)
Fun Knowledge:

tomo

poki-tomo merger when??

Definition: indoor space; building, home, house, room
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Esperanto "domo," meaning "house."
Example: kulupu wan taso li pali e tomo ale lon ma mi. (Just one company made all the houses in my town.)

tonsi

monsi tonsi

Definition: non-binary, gender-non-conforming
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Mandarin "同志" or "tóngzhì," meaning "LGBT+."
Example: tonsi li tawa lon tomo tawa. (The non-binary person drove in a car.)
Tips and Tricks:

tu

Some say that they are still saying "en tu" to this day.

Definition: two
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "two."
Example: pipi tu li lon poka mi. (Two bugs are beside me.)
Fun Knowledge:

unpa

Hey, while we're at it, what does mamasi mean?

Definition: have sexual or marital relations with
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: Onomatopoeia.
Example: jan Jepo li unpa e jan Tenli. (Jepo married Tenli.)
Fun Knowledge:

uta

mi la, toki uta li nasin pona!

Definition: mouth, lips, oral cavity, jaw
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "уста" or "usta," meaning "mouth."
Example: o pana e moku tawa uta ona. (Put food into its mouth.)
Fun Knowledge:

utala

Noncanonical alternative meaning: tasteless.

Definition: battle, challenge, compete against, struggle against
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Serbo-Croatian "ударати" or "udarati," meaning "strike."
Example: ma suli li open utala e ma lili. (The big country started fighting the small country.)

walo

pona lon Pijano.

Definition: white, whitish; light-coloured, pale
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "valko," meaning "white."
Example: telo lete walo li kama tan sewi. (White snow came from the sky.)

wan

tenpo wan la ona li pakala, li pake, li moli, li musi.

Definition: unique, united; one
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From English "one."
Example: jan wan li awen lon tomo mani lon tenpo pimeja. (One person stayed at the bank overnight.)
Fun Knowledge:

waso

o tawa waso, lon sewi laso~

Definition: bird, flying creature, winged animal
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Acadian French "oiseau," meaning "bird."
Example: waso mute li lon poka mi. (Many birds are beside me.)

wawa

TENPO WAWA TENPO WAWA

Definition: strong, powerful; confident, sure; energetic, intense
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Finnish "vahva," meaning "strong."
Example: ona li tawa kepeken wawa mute. (He walks very confidently.)
Tips and Tricks:

weka

o weka e lawa, ona li sin ala!

Definition: absent, away, ignored
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "weg," meaning "away."
Example: o awen pona, lon weka sina! (Stay well while you are gone!)
Fun Knowledge:

wile

I have been making this for over 2 months... mi wile lape.

Definition: must, need, require, should, want, wish
Part of Speech: content word
Etymology: From Dutch "willen," meaning "want."
Example: mi wile moku e pan suli. (I need to eat a big loaf.)
Tips and Tricks:

References:
Moniz, C. Ryan. Nimi Ale Pona. 2nd ed., 8 Oct. 2020, docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t-pjAgZDyKPXcCRnEdATFQOxGbQFMjZm-8EvXiQd2Po/edit?usp=sharing 10/20/2020.
Lang, Sonja. Toki Pona Dictionary, 18 July 2021, 9/12/2021.
I'm actually using the citation format properly! How cool is that?
Also, thanks to Sonja Lang for providing extra etymologies, and to kala loje lili for fixing a whole bunch of my typos.