wi
wi is a derivational marker that forces words into base modifiers. This means that it can take a phrase, and turn it into a base modifier.
The phrase wi no is often used to negate modifiers, as no has to attach to a grammatical particle.
If wi is used with a base noun, the meaning becomes "noun-like", instead of "noun-related".
Derivations
| Derivation | Base noun (kuwosi) | Base verb (makan) | Base modifier (tope) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun (without wi) | fruit | food | goodness |
| Verb (without wi) | to be fruit | to eat | to be good |
| Modifier (without wi) | fruit-related | edible | good |
| Noun (with wi) | fruit-like-ness | edibility | goodness |
| Verb (with wi) | to be fruit-like | to be edible | to be good |
| Modifier (with wi) | fruit-like | edible | good |
Examples
| Likanu | Latin script | English |
|---|---|---|
| ɂ ʋȷ ʌ̄ʃxʃ ƨ̄ȷx ʌ ɂ ʋȷ ɞx̄ ōı oſxɞ ɕı ƨʃ ɞx̄: | ja le tonko nenka ta ja le makan in ukama wi no makan. | They were sick because they ate an inedible plant. |
| ƨ ɂſʌſ ʋȷ ɕı ʌȷx ɤɞʃ ʜı ʌ̄ȷ ƨȷʋʃ: | na jutu le wi teka samo pi ten nelo. | That star is only visible at night. |
| ɞſ ʌɤ̄ʃ ɂȷ ōıɤſ ʋȷ ʌɤ̄ʃ ōı ōıɤſ ɕı ʌʋıxʃ: | mu tason je insu le tason in insu wi taliko. | The architect designed a cone-like building. |