Directions

1. ... i stap we?

   Where is ...?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking where something is located

   Grammar Note

   "Stap" (to be/exist) comes from English "stop/stay." "I stap we" (where is it) is the most fundamental Tok Pisin location question.

2. Go stret.

   Go straight.

   Usage

   When directing someone to go straight ahead

   Grammar Note

   "Stret" from English "straight" is a versatile Tok Pisin word used as both adverb and adjective. It also means "correct/right."

3. Tanim long han kais.

   Turn to the left.

   Usage

   When directing someone to turn left

   Grammar Note

   "To turn" is "tanim", and left/right are expressed with the hands: "han kais" (left hand) and "han sut" (right hand). There is a contrasting pair "Sapos yu laik i go long han sut, orait mi ken i go long han kais" (if you go right, I will go left).

4. Tanim long han sut.

   Turn to the right.

   Usage

   When directing someone to turn right

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin "ret" is borrowed from English "red" and means the colour red. "Right" as a direction is "han sut" (right hand). ⚠ Do not substitute "rait" either — that is also used for "write". Left is "han kais".

5. Em i longwe o klostu?

   Is it far or close?

   Usage

   When checking the distance to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Longwe" (far) contracted from English "long way." "Klostu" (near) came from "close to." Both show how Tok Pisin fuses English phrases into single words.

6. Mi lus.

   I am lost.

   Usage

   When asking for help after getting lost

   Grammar Note

   "Lus" is intransitive and takes no object — the transitive counterpart is "lusim". The correct form is intransitive "Mi lus". ⚠ Do not "correct" it to "Mi lusim rot": that means to leave/stray from the road. To add that you don't know the way, say "Mi no save long rot".

7. Em i stap klostu long ples bilong wetim bas.

   It is near the bus stop.

   Usage

   When describing a location using a landmark

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin "bus" is borrowed from English "bush" and means remote forest/hinterland. The vehicle is "bas". A bus stop is "ples bilong wetim bas". "Klostu long" (near/close to) is the locative prepositional phrase.

8. Wanem bas i go long taun?

   Which bus goes to town?

   Usage

   When checking which bus goes to town

   Grammar Note

   "Wanem" (which/what) contracted from English "which one." "I go long" (goes to) uses the predicate marker "i" + "go" + the preposition "long."

9. Hamas minit bai mi kamap?

   How many minutes will it take?

   Usage

   When asking how long it takes to reach a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Bai" (future marker) contracted from English "by and by" (eventually). Tok Pisin is an analytic language that uses lexical markers to express tense.

10. Inap yu soim mi long mep?

    Can you show me on the map?

    Usage

    When wanting to see the location on a map

    Grammar Note

    "Soim" contracted from English "show him" and functions as a transitive verb. "Inap yu" (can you?) is a polite way to ask about ability or permission.

11. Han sut

    Right

    Usage

    One word works even in a moving taxi

    Grammar Note

    Right is "han sut" (right hand). There is the contrasting pair "go long han sut … go long han kais".

12. Han kais

    Left

    Usage

    One word works even in a moving taxi

    Grammar Note

    Left is "han kais" (left hand). "Kais" = left hand.

13. Stret

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    One word works even in a moving taxi

14. Go bek

    Go back

    Usage

    Show it when the driver has gone the wrong way

15. Stop!

    Stop

    Usage

    Show it where you want to get out

16. Hap not

    North

    Usage

    Use with a map to give a direction

    Grammar Note

    Compass points are said as "hap" + direction.

17. Hap saut

    South

    Usage

    Use with a map to give a direction

    Grammar Note

    Compass points are said as "hap" + direction.

18. Hap sankamap

    East

    Usage

    Use with a map to give a direction

    Grammar Note

    East is "hap sankamap" (the side where the sun comes up).

19. Hap san i go daun

    West

    Usage

    Use with a map to give a direction

    Grammar Note

    West is "hap san i go daun" (the side where the sun goes down)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages