3. Word Derivations
Kokanu’s grammar provides extreme flexibility in how words can be repurposed: any noun, verb, or modifier can be systematically converted into the other forms. This feature keeps the vocabulary minimal while preserving expressiveness.
3.1 Modifier → Verb
When a modifier follows a verb marker (like le or o), it effectively becomes a verb meaning “to be [modifier]”.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| antomi | asleep (modifier) |
| mi le antomi | I am asleep / I sleep |
| tu le cenpo | you are big |
| le lijule men momu | the bovine is laughing / laughs |
New Words
- antomi = asleep (modifier)
- cenpo = big
- lijule = laughing
- momu = bovine
Warning
Here, le is not a “to be” verb. The modifier itself becomes a verb when used in this position.
3.2 Noun → Verb
A noun can function as a verb when placed after le, meaning “to be [noun]”.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| canwa | animal (noun) |
| mi le canwa | I am an animal |
| suwina | pig (noun) |
| canwa le suwina | the animal is a pig |
New Words
- canwa = animal
- suwina = pig
3.3 Modifier → Noun
A modifier used as a noun becomes the abstract concept of “[modifier]-ness”.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pilu | victorious / successful (modifier) |
| mi le ju in pilu | I want success |
| tonko | hurting / suffering (modifier) |
| tu le ikasi wija tonko | you learned through suffering |
New Words
- pilu = victorious / successful
- ikasi = to learn
- tonko = hurting / suffering
Warning
Kokanu often favors conceptual nuance over literal one-to-one translation. Literal renderings can sound verbose in English.
3.4 Verb → Noun
A verb used as a noun becomes its generic object aka what one generally does with that verb.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| makan (verb) | to eat → food (noun) |
| mi le makan in makan | I eat food |
| mi le ju in makan | I want food |
| lika (verb) | to write → text (noun) |
| mi le suki in lika tu | I like your text |
| cawapu (verb) | to answer (a response, an answer) |
| mi le kota in cawapu | I say a response |
New Words
- makan = to eat → food
- lika = to write → text
- cawapu = to answer (a response)
Warning
Remember Chapter 1.3: Kokanu’s direct object usage may differ from English.
The noun form of a verb may not match your intuition (e.g., cawapu = to answer a response, not a question).
The dictionary lists all noun/verb/modifier forms explicitly.
3.5 Noun → Modifier
A noun used as a modifier means “[noun]-related,” often broadly.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| makan pawo le tope | the dog food is good |
| mi le onton in onton sila | I wear head-related clothing |
New Words
- makan = food
- pawo = dog
- tope = good
- onton = to wear (clothing)
- sila = head
3.6 Verb → Modifier
A verb as a modifier means “-able” (something that can be verb-ed), or “[verb]-like”.
Examples:
| Kokanu phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kuwosi makan | edible fruit / food-like fruit |
| men cawapu solu | question-like answer |
New Words
- kuwosi = fruit
- makan = to eat → food
- solu = to ask (a question)
- cawapu = to answer (a response)
Overview Table
| Base form | Verb meaning | Noun meaning | Modifier meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modifier | be [modifier] | [modifier]-ness | — |
| Noun | be [noun] | — | [noun]-related |
| Verb | — | generic object (e.g. food) | verb-able / verb-like |
Use this as a quick reference when exploring or building Kokanu vocabulary!