Contacts & SNS

1. Namba bilong fon bilong yu em wanem?

   nam-ba bi-long fon bi-long yu em wa-nem

   What is your phone number?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone for their phone number

   Grammar Note

   "wanem" derives from "what name" and means "what". Question words in Tok Pisin are often placed at the end of the sentence.

2. Wanem email bilong yu?

   wa-nem ee-mayl bi-long yu

   What is your email address?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone for their email address

   Grammar Note

   Internet-related vocabulary is often borrowed directly from English in Tok Pisin. Mobile phones have diversified communication in PNG.

3. Yu gat WhatsApp?

   yu gat wots-ap

   Do you have WhatsApp?

   Usage

   Used to ask if someone uses WhatsApp

   Grammar Note

   "gat" comes from "got" and means to have. WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in PNG.

4. Yumi mas stap long kontakt.

   yu-mi mas stap long kon-takt

   We must stay in contact.

   Usage

   Used when suggesting to stay in touch after parting

   Grammar Note

   "mas" is a modal verb expressing obligation, from English "must". "yumi" is the inclusive first person plural including both speaker and listener.

5. Bai yumi mitim gen wanpela taim.

   bai yu-mi mi-tim gen wan-pe-la taim

   We will meet again sometime.

   Usage

   Used when promising to meet again when parting

   Grammar Note

   "bai" is the future tense marker derived from "by and by". It is placed at the beginning of the sentence or before the verb.

6. Dispela em namba bilong mi.

   dis-pe-la em nam-ba bi-long mi

   This is my contact number.

   Usage

   Used when sharing your own contact details

   Grammar Note

   "em" is the third person singular pronoun in Tok Pisin, used for people and objects alike. It derives from English "him".

7. Yu gat Facebook?

   yu gat feis-buk

   Do you have Facebook?

   Usage

   Used to suggest connecting on Facebook, very popular in PNG

   Grammar Note

   Facebook is the most widely used social media platform in PNG, used by many as their primary means of communication and information sharing.

8. Inap mi ringim yu?

   i-nap mi ring-im yu

   Can I call you?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission to call someone

   Grammar Note

   "inap" is a modal verb meaning "can" or "may". The transitive verb "ringim" (to call) is formed by adding "-im" to "ring".

9. Bai yumi senisim namba bilong yumi.

   bai yu-mi se-ni-sim nam-ba bi-long yu-mi

   Let us exchange our numbers.

   Usage

   Used to suggest exchanging phone numbers

   Grammar Note

   "senisim" comes from "change him" and means to exchange or change. The "-im" suffix creates transitive verbs.

10. Yu stap long wanem social media?

    yu stap long wa-nem so-shel mee-dee-a

    What social media are you on?

    Usage

    Used to ask which social media platforms someone uses

    Grammar Note

    "stap long" expresses being at or on something. "stap" from "stop" means to stay or be located somewhere.

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