Spoonfed Lesson 14: The Big City and Beyond

taponsa means “rule,” “law,” or “regulation.” You arrive at the big city and immediately notice signs with rules everywhere. With the -o ending, taponso = to rule, to govern, to regulate. With the -i ending, taponsi = legal, lawful, official. Compound: kemopa-taponsa = country (ground-rule).

kisonla means “count,” “tally,” or “number.” In the city, everything is counted and measured – bureaucracy at work. With the -o ending, kisonlo = to count, to tally, to enumerate. With the -i ending, kisonli = numerical, counted, quantitative.

senanla means “network,” “web,” or “grid.” The city is a web of connected streets and people. With the -o ending, senanlo = to connect, to link. With the -i ending, senanli = networked, connected, linked. Compound: senanla-koma = internet (network-all).

tenkina means “form,” “shape,” or “structure.” The buildings here have shapes unlike any you’ve seen before. With the -o ending, tenkino = to form, to shape, to mold. With the -i ending, tenkini = shaped, formed. Compound: tenkina-linansa = sculpture (form-art).

tipanla means “angle” or “corner.” The city is full of sharp angles – building corners, street intersections, angular architecture. With the -o ending, tipanlo = to angle, to corner. With the -i ending, tipanli = angular, cornered.

kemansa means “block” or “cube.” The city is laid out in large blocks of stone and buildings. With the -o ending, kemanso = to block, to stack. With the -i ending, kemansi = blocky, cubic.

kosinpa means “bump,” “protrusion,” or “knob.” The old cobblestone streets are full of bumps under your feet. With the -o ending, kosinpo = to protrude, to bulge. With the -i ending, kosinpi = protruding, bumpy.

takunla means “stick,” “rod,” or “pole.” Flagpoles and market stalls line the streets. With the -o ending, takunlo = to prod, to skewer. With the -i ending, takunli = elongated, rod-shaped. Compounds: takunla-sitala = finger (stick-hand), takunla-mopusa = bone (stick-body).

lankima means “cat.” A cat watches from inside a building as you pass by. With the -i ending, **lankim**i = feline. Compound: tulima-lankima = kitten (young-cat).

kisata means “fight,” “war,” or “conflict.” Inside a museum, you read about the city’s history of conflict. With the -o ending, kisato = to fight, to battle, to wage war. With the -i ending, kisati = combative, warlike, hostile. Compound: puna-kisata = soldier (person-fight).

sokinla means “weapon” or “arms.” The museum displays old weapons from past conflicts. With the -o ending, sokinlo = to arm, to weaponize. With the -i ending, sokinli = armed, weaponized. Compounds: sokinla-pekama = gun (weapon-far), sokinla-tekisa = sword (weapon-cut), sokinla-tisupa = spear (weapon-throw).

lunpeka means “rope” or “cord.” At the docks, workers handle ropes to secure boats. With the -o ending, lunpeko = to tie, to bind, to tether. With the -i ending, lunpeki = corded, bound, tethered. Compound: telanka-lunpeka = wire (metal-rope).

tinpani means “pointed” or “precise.” The city’s rooftops are pointed, reaching toward the sky. With the -a ending, tinpana = a point, a tip. With the -o ending, tinpano = to make pointed, to sharpen. Compound: tinpana-luma = dot (point-small).

tisupa means “throw,” “launch,” or “toss.” At the docks, someone tosses a stone into the water. With the -o ending, tisupo = to throw, to launch, to hurl. With the -i ending, tisupi = thrown, launched, projectile.

melinka means “spirit,” “soul,” or “essence.” You feel the spirit of the city – alive with energy and history. With the -o ending, melinko = to inspire, to spiritualize. With the -i ending, melinki = spiritual, ethereal. Compounds: ketuma-melinka = church or temple (building-spirit), melinka-popa = God (spirit-big).

lasunta means “sex” or “sexual intercourse.” This is a natural part of life and language – every complete vocabulary needs this word. With the -o ending, lasunto = to have sex. With the -i ending, lasunti = sexual.