Every word in Dupi is built from domains and optionally prefixed by a scale. These rules determine whether a word is valid.
Scale + domain
A scale prefix fuses directly with a domain syllable — no hyphen. This pins the domain to a specific level on its axis.
alo — a(max) + lo(attraction) = devotionofu — o(zero) + fu(calm) = ragenamu — na(6) + mu(joy) = pretty happywuge — wu(8) + ge(pain) = agonyScale reference (0–9):
o
zero
ma
minimal
sa
low
ta
low-mid
me
mid
te
mid-high
na
high
le
very high
wu
intense
a
max
Compound domains
Two or more domains joined by a hyphen create a compound concept. The first domain is the head (most recognizable characteristic); each subsequent domain narrows the meaning.
ba-po — container + hard = houseali-so — water + big = lakedu-pi-ji — communicate + knowledge + stable = lawni-da-be — speed + distance + muscle = bicycleDoubled domain
Repeating the same domain creates an adjacent or stressed concept — a qualitative emphasis, not a scale level. ga-ga is not "max-authority" (that would be aga scale 9); it means "this dimension, specifically — a command."
ga-ga — authority → commandlo-lo — attraction → deeply in loveni-ni-vo — speed-stressed + do = really movepi-pi — knowledge → story / memoryScale + compound
A scale prefix can precede a compound. The scale applies to the first domain of the compound. The scale is separated from the compound with a hyphen: scale-domain-domain.
a-ba-po — max + container + hard = fortresso-pi-pi-vo — zero + memory + do = forgeta-pi-pi-vo — max + memory + do = remember perfectlyCompare: o-pi-pi-vo (scale + compound) vs opi-pi-vo (fused scale+first-domain). Both are valid; the hyphenated form is clearer in writing.
Suffixes: vo, jo
vo (do) turns any domain into a verb. Without vo, the word is a state or quality.
lo-vo — attraction + do = love / attractni-vo — speed + do = move / gotu-vo — communicate + do = say / telljo (question) appended to a domain creates a question word.
ko jo — life + question = who?da jo — distance + question = where?ti jo — time + question = when?Negation: no
no negates what follows. Place it before the word being negated. no is a standalone word — it is not fused or hyphenated.
ma no ni-vo — I not gono amu — not happy (different from omu = grief)no lo-lo-vo — not love (negating the verb)Names are local
Names of countries, places, people, and other proper nouns are not translated. The local word or name is used as-is. For example: "London" stays "London", not something like "wupa-go-ba" (big city).