wile

wile is about desires and requirements. With an animate subject, a wile is typically a desire.

mi wile e moku suwi.

I want sweets.

With inanimate subjects, wile typically becomes a requirement.

pali ni li wile e tenpo mute.

This task requires a lot of time.

wile only translates well as ‘need’ when the need and the desire are associated with each other. For instance, I need water, and if I become thirsty, the need for water becomes a desire for water, so mi wile e telo. If I need to work for money but dislike my job, it wouldn’t be accurate to say mi wile pali mani.

When the need of a subject is not connected to a desire, speakers often change the subject of wile to refer to something whose wile lines up with the need.

sijelo mi li wile e lape.

My body requires sleep.

I need sleep.

In other cases, o is used instead.