Culture & Etiquette

1. Wanem kastom bilong ples ia?

   What is the traditional custom of this place?

   Usage

   When asking about local culture and traditions

   Grammar Note

   "Bilong" is the most important Tok Pisin preposition, meaning "of/belonging to." It grammaticalized from English "belong" to broadly mark possession and relation.

2. Mi laik lukim singsing bilong yupela.

   I want to see your traditional dance/song.

   Usage

   When wanting to watch traditional PNG song and dance

   Grammar Note

   "Singsing" refers specifically to traditional song-and-dance festivals in Tok Pisin. The reduplication of "sing" expresses the ceremonial intensity of the event.

3. Em i gutpela kamap long ples bilong yupela.

   It is wonderful to come to your place.

   Usage

   When showing respect upon visiting a community

   Grammar Note

   "Em i" (it is) is the third-person subject construction. "I" is a predicate marker that must precede the verb when the subject is a pronoun or noun.

4. Wanem samting mi no ken mekim long ples ia?

   What things should I not do in this place?

   Usage

   When asking about local taboos and rules

   Grammar Note

   "No ken" (must not) is the prohibition form in Tok Pisin. It is the negation of "ken" (can). The "-im" suffix marks transitive verbs in Tok Pisin.

5. Mi laik baim samting bilong wok han bilong yupela.

   I want to buy some of your handicrafts.

   Usage

   When purchasing traditional handicrafts or souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   "Wok han" = "wok" (work, from English) + "han" (hand), meaning "hand work" = handicraft. "Wok" is a versatile Tok Pisin word from English "work."

6. Ating mi inap kisim piksa?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   When requesting permission to take a photo of people or cultural sites

   Grammar Note

   "Ating" (perhaps/maybe) softens requests. "Inap" (can/allowed) evolved from English "enough" to express ability and permission in Tok Pisin.

7. Wanem nem bilong dispela samting?

   What is the name of this thing?

   Usage

   When asking the name of a cultural object or custom

   Grammar Note

   "Dispela" (this) is a contracted form of "this fellow." The "-pela" suffix (from "fellow") marks demonstratives and adjectives in Tok Pisin.

8. Yupela i mekim wanem long Goroka Show?

   What do you do at the Goroka Show festival?

   Usage

   When asking about PNG cultural festivals and events

   Grammar Note

   "Yupela" (you all) is the second-person plural pronoun in Tok Pisin: "yu" (you) + "-pela" (plural marker). "Yupela i" is the subject + predicate marker.

9. Mi laikim tumas kaikai bilong PNG.

   I love PNG food very much.

   Usage

   When expressing appreciation for local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "Tumas" (very much) is an intensifying adverb from English "too much." "Kaikai" is the reduplication of "kai" (to eat), used as both noun and verb.

10. Tenkyu tru long welkamim mi.

    Thank you truly for welcoming me.

    Usage

    When expressing gratitude for hospitality during a visit

    Grammar Note

    "Tru" (truly) is an adverb from English "true" used for emphasis. "-Im" in "welkamim" is the transitive suffix. "Long" is a general-purpose preposition.

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