Café & Drinks

1. Mi laik dringim wara.

   I want to drink water.

   Usage

   When requesting water

   Grammar Note

   "-Im" in "dringim" is the transitive suffix. "Wara" (water) comes from English "water" (with the final r dropped).

2. Larim mi kisim wanpela kap ti.

   Let me have a cup of tea.

   Usage

   When ordering a cup of tea

   Grammar Note

   "Larim" (to let/allow) comes from English "let him" as a causative verb. "Wanpela" (one) = "wan" (one) + "-pela" (adjectival suffix).

3. Yu gat kofi?

   Do you have coffee?

   Usage

   When checking if coffee is available

   Grammar Note

   "Gat" (to have) comes from English "got" and functions as a possession/existence verb. "Yu gat" (you have/do you have) is a concise question form.

4. Mi laik dringim wanpela bia.

   I want to drink a beer.

   Usage

   When ordering a beer

   Grammar Note

   "Bia" is Tok Pisin for English "beer." Local PNG beers like SP Lager (South Pacific) are popular. The word simply drops the final "r" as Tok Pisin is non-rhotic.

5. Brungim wanpela kokonas.

   Bring a coconut.

   Usage

   When requesting a fresh coconut for drinking

   Grammar Note

   "Brungim" verbalized from English "bring him." "Kokonas" from English "coconut" — the final "t" is dropped as Tok Pisin avoids word-final stops.

6. Wanem kain dring yu gat?

   What kind of drinks do you have?

   Usage

   When asking what drinks are available

   Grammar Note

   "Wanem kain" (what kind of) = "wanem" (what) + "kain" (kind, from English). This compound question is used to ask about types or varieties.

7. Dring ia i switpela tumas!

   This drink is very sweet and delicious!

   Usage

   When expressing how delicious a drink is

   Grammar Note

   "Switpela" = English "sweet" + adjectival suffix "-pela." The "-pela" suffix (from "fellow") is attached to most adjectives in Tok Pisin.

8. Hamas long wanpela botol wara?

   How much for a bottle of water?

   Usage

   When asking the price of a bottle of water

   Grammar Note

   "Hamas long" (how much for) is the basic Tok Pisin price question. "Long" serves as the preposition "for." "Botol" drops the "e" from English "bottle."

9. Mi nidim wanpela kol dring.

   I need a cold drink.

   Usage

   When requesting a cold drink

   Grammar Note

   "Nidim" (to need) transitivized from "need him." "Kol" drops the final "d" from English "cold," adapting to Tok Pisin's preferred open syllable structure.

10. Tenkyu long dring.

    Thank you for the drink.

    Usage

    When expressing gratitude after receiving a drink

    Grammar Note

    "Tenkyu long" (thank you for) corresponds to English "thank you for." "Long" functions as the preposition marking the reason or object of thanks.

11. Wara bilong botol

    Bottled water

    Usage

    Ask for sealed bottled water

12. Hot wara

    Hot water

    Usage

    Ask for hot water

13. No ken putim ais

    No ice

    Usage

    Ask for a drink without ice

14. Bia

    Beer

    Usage

    Use when ordering

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