Cooking & Markets

1. Kukim kaikai bilong apinun

   Cook the evening meal

   Usage

   Talking about preparing the evening meal

   Grammar Note

   "Kaikai" is a reduplicated form from "kai" meaning food or meal. Reduplication is common in Tok Pisin.

2. Paia bilong kukim i bikpela

   The cooking fire is big

   Usage

   Describing the state of a cooking fire in traditional outdoor cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Bikpela" from "big fellow" is an adjective. Many Tok Pisin adjectives end in "-pela."

3. Rais i kukim pinis

   The rice is cooked

   Usage

   Announcing that the rice is done cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Pinis" as a completive marker follows the verb to mean "finished." Rice is a staple in PNG.

4. Putim sol long kaikai

   Put salt in the food

   Usage

   Instructing someone to add salt to a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Putim" is a highly versatile verb meaning "to put, place, or add." It appears in many cooking and everyday contexts.

5. Kumu i gutpela kaikai long PNG

   Kumu (greens) is a good food in PNG

   Usage

   Discussing traditional PNG ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "Kumu" is a native PNG leafy green, widely consumed and nutritious. "Gutpela" (good) modifies the noun.

6. Boilim mit na kumu wantaim

   Boil the meat and greens together

   Usage

   Describing how to make a boiled dish

   Grammar Note

   "Wantaim" from "one time" means "together." "Na" is the coordinating conjunction "and."

7. Kaikai i hat tumas, wet liklik

   The food is very hot, wait a little

   Usage

   Warning someone that the food is too hot to eat yet

   Grammar Note

   "Liklik" from "little little" is both adjective "small" and adverb "a little."

8. Mumu kaikai em i swit

   Mumu food is delicious

   Usage

   Talking about the traditional PNG underground cooking method "mumu"

   Grammar Note

   "Swit" from "sweet" extends to "delicious" or "wonderful." Mumu is essential at PNG celebrations and feasts.

9. Wasim han bipo kukim kaikai

   Wash your hands before cooking

   Usage

   Reminding someone to wash hands before cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Bipo" from "before" functions as preposition or conjunction. "Bipo + verb phrase" = "before doing X."

10. Gaden kaikai i fresin na gutpela

    Garden vegetables are fresh and good

    Usage

    Praising the freshness of home-grown vegetables

    Grammar Note

    Home gardens (gaden) are common throughout PNG. "Na" coordinates two adjectives: "fresin na gutpela" = fresh and good.

11. Sol

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for seasoning or check an ingredient

12. Suga

    Sugar

    Usage

    Ask for seasoning or check an ingredient

13. Wel

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    Check what the dish is cooked in

14. Bata

    Butter

    Usage

    Check for dairy or order it

15. Sup

    Soup

    Usage

    Use when ordering

16. Anian

    Onion

    Usage

    Check for it or ask to leave it out

17. Kawawar

    Ginger

    Usage

    Buy it or check an ingredient

18. Lombo

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    Point at it to add or avoid heat

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