Greetings

1. Gude

   Hello / Good day

   Usage

   The most common all-purpose greeting, usable any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin is an English-based creole. "Gude" is shortened from "good day." Responding with "Gude" is perfectly natural.

2. Monin

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting, derived from "good morning"

   Grammar Note

   In Tok Pisin, "good" is dropped from "good morning," leaving "Monin." Spelling is phonetic.

3. Apinun

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   Afternoon greeting, derived from "good afternoon"

   Grammar Note

   "Good afternoon" contracted to "Apinun." A characteristic phonetic reduction in Tok Pisin.

4. Nait

   Good night

   Usage

   Used as a night greeting or farewell in the evening

   Grammar Note

   Shortened from "good night." In Tok Pisin, "good" is frequently dropped from time-of-day greetings.

5. Tenkyu

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most basic expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin spelling is phonetic: "th" becomes "t," giving "Tenkyu." For extra emphasis, say "Tenkyu tumas" (thank you very much).

6. Tenkyu tumas

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   An emphatic expression of thanks, used when extra gratitude is warranted

   Grammar Note

   "Tumas" derives from "too much" but functions as a positive intensifier in Tok Pisin, meaning "very" or "a lot."

7. Gutpela

   Good / Fine (I am well)

   Usage

   Response to "How are you?" Often followed by "na yu?" (and you?)

   Grammar Note

   Many Tok Pisin adjectives take the suffix "-pela" (e.g., bikpela = big). "Gutpela" is one of the most common adjectives.

8. Yu orait?

   Are you alright? / How are you?

   Usage

   Casual greeting used with friends and acquaintances

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin spelling is phonetic: "you"→"yu," "alright"→"orait." Questions are formed by rising intonation alone.

9. Lukim yu

   See you / Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell greeting equivalent to "see you later"

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin transitive verbs often take the suffix "-im" (e.g., lukim = to see, karim = to carry). "Lukim yu" literally means "see you."

10. Wanem nem bilong yu?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Used when asking someone's name upon first meeting

    Grammar Note

    "Bilong" is one of Tok Pisin's most important words, expressing possession (A bilong B = B's A) and purpose.

11. Nem bilong mi em ...

    My name is ...

    Usage

    Used when introducing yourself

    Grammar Note

    Tok Pisin follows SVO word order. "Em" is often used as an emphatic pronoun or topic marker. Follow up with "Mi kam long Japon" (I come from Japan).

12. Sori tumas

    I am very sorry

    Usage

    Apology expression. "Sori" alone suffices for minor apologies

    Grammar Note

    "Tumas" works as a general intensifier: "gutpela tumas" (very good), "bikpela tumas" (very big).

13. Toilet i stap we?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking where the toilet is. Essential when traveling.

    Grammar Note

    Tok Pisin "i" is the predicate marker separating subject from predicate; it is not a preposition (the locative preposition is "long"). Existence and location are carried by the verb "stap", and "X i stap we?" is the fixed pattern. "Haus sik i stap we?" and "Toilet i stap we?" use the same form.

14. Mi no inap long toktok Tok Pisin.

    I can't speak Tok Pisin

    Usage

    Used to explain you cannot speak Tok Pisin. Helpful when someone addresses you in the language.

    Grammar Note

    "No inap" (not able) expresses inability. "Toktok" (to speak) is from English "talk talk" — a typical Tok Pisin reduplication.

15. Bai mi kam bek gen.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

16. Mi amamas tumas.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

17. Tenkyu, lukim yu!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

18. Nogat samting

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Tenkyu" (thank you). Literally "nothing" — conveys "it was nothing"

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