Business & Work

1. Mi laik toktok long bisnis

   I would like to talk about business

   Usage

   Opening a business meeting or discussion

   Grammar Note

   "Toktok" is a reduplicated form. In Tok Pisin, reduplication can indicate ongoing action or emphasis.

2. Kontrak i redi pinis

   The contract is ready

   Usage

   Informing that the contract is prepared

   Grammar Note

   "Pinis" from "finish" is a completive aspect marker. Placed after a verb/adjective, it means "already done."

3. Wanem prais bilong dispela samting?

   What is the price of this item?

   Usage

   Asking the price of a product or service

   Grammar Note

   "Samting" from "something" broadly refers to any object or item. In commerce it means a product or good.

4. Miting bai stat long wanem taim?

   What time will the meeting start?

   Usage

   Asking when a meeting will begin

   Grammar Note

   "Bai" is Tok Pisin's future/intentional marker from "by and by." It precedes the verb.

5. Inap yumi mekim diil?

   Can we make a deal?

   Usage

   Proposing to conclude a business deal

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin distinguishes inclusive "yumi" (I+you) from exclusive "mipela" (we, not you). This distinction doesn't exist in English.

6. Ripot i mas kamap tumora

   The report must be submitted tomorrow

   Usage

   Communicating a deadline for a report

   Grammar Note

   "Mas" is a modal of obligation. "Kamap" here means "to come in/be submitted" in a business context.

7. Kompani bilong mi i stap long Japon

   My company is in Japan

   Usage

   Introducing your company's location in a business context

   Grammar Note

   "Long" is a multipurpose preposition. "I stap long X" means "is located in X."

8. Yumi toktok moa long telefon

   Let us talk more on the phone

   Usage

   Suggesting a follow-up phone call after a meeting

   Grammar Note

   "Yumi" (inclusive we) is used for proposals involving both parties. "Moa" works as both adverb and adjective.

9. Ol kamap long miting pinis

   Everyone has arrived at the meeting

   Usage

   Confirming that all attendees have arrived

   Grammar Note

   "Ol" from "all" is both a third-person plural pronoun and a quantifier. "Pinis" marks completion: "already arrived."

10. Tenkyu long kam long miting

    Thank you for coming to the meeting

    Usage

    Thanking participants at the close of a business meeting

    Grammar Note

    "Tenkyu long" means "thank you for." "Long" functions here like English "for" in thank-you phrases.

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