ojano (particle) - One by one

ojano (02_Particles in Asaxi)

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ojano

Grammatical function

• Particle type: Particle Compound / Floating Quantifier
• Function: General Distributive Aspect
• Meaning: Indicates that items or actions are treated individually, separately, or in a scattered manner. It is the neutral term covering both “one by one” and “here and there” when specific nuance is not required.

Usage Note: Floating Scope

This particle is a Floating Quantifier. Its position determines what is being distributed.

1. Post-Verbal (Event Scope): Placed at the end of the sentence. Modifies the entire action.

   • Structure: [Verb] + ojano.
   • Meaning: The action happens in separate instances.

2. Post-Nominal (Argument Scope): Placed immediately after a noun. Modifies that specific group.

   • Structure: [Noun] + ojano.
   • Meaning: That specific group acts or is acted upon individually.

Pronunciation

IPA: /oꞲano/

Translations

• English: individually, separately, apiece, scattered, distinct
• Polish: oddzielnie, pojedynczo, tu i tam

Example sentences

1. Event Scope (Sentence Final) To wo shěso shěsonů ojano. I read books separately / on distinct occasions.

2. Argument Scope (Subject) To shějýnshá ojano shěso zèdao. The teachers individually gave a book. (Teacher A gave one, then Teacher B gave one).

3. Argument Scope (Object) To shějýnshá shěso ojano zèdao. The teachers gave the books individually. (Handed over Book A, then Book B).

Alternative forms

x

Etymology

A compound of o (Here) + ja (And) + no (There). Lit: “Here and there.”

Synonyms

• jonojo (Particle) (Specific Numeric Distributive: “One by one / In sequence”).
• okonoko (Particle) (Specific Spatial Distributive: “Scattered / All over the place”).

Antonyms

• na- (Iterative/Stacking).
• [All at once] (Collective).

Derived terms

Null