Partikula

Partikula is a term used in several languages to denote a small unit or component, with domain-specific meanings in linguistics, physics, and environmental science. The core idea across uses is a small, distinct part that contributes to a larger system.

In linguistics, partikula refers to a class of function words known as particles. These items do not form a phrase with clear semantic content by themselves but express grammatical, modal, or pragmatic distinctions, such as negation, mood, aspect, or discourse relation. Examples vary by language and include words that mark focus, emphasis, or relation between clauses.

In physics, the related concept is the particle, the basic unit of matter or a quantum of an interaction. Particles may be elementary, such as quarks and leptons, or composite, such as hadrons, and they obey quantum theory. The term appears in contexts from high-energy physics to condensed matter, often with qualifiers like elementary, virtual, or bound.

In environmental science and public health, particulate matter refers to tiny particles suspended in air. Air-quality discussions frequently use PM2.5 and PM10 to denote aerodynamic diameters, linking particle size to health impact.

Etymology generally traces the form to Latin particula, meaning a small part, with adaptation in Romance and other languages. See also particle, linguistic particle, and particulate matter for related uses.