Language Learning

1. Mi lainim Tok Pisin

   I am learning Tok Pisin

   Usage

   Telling someone you are learning Tok Pisin

   Grammar Note

   "Tok Pisin" means "talk pidgin" (tok = talk, pisin = pidgin). It is one of PNG's official languages.

2. Wanem tok bilong dispela wod?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Asking for the meaning of a word

   Grammar Note

   "Tok" from "talk" means word, language, meaning, or speech. "Wanem tok" = what does it mean.

3. Toktok gen, na toktok isi isi.

   Say it again, speak slowly

   Usage

   Asking someone to repeat more slowly

   Grammar Note

   "Isi isi" from "easy easy" means slowly or gently. Reduplication is used in Tok Pisin for emphasis or continuity.

4. Mi no save gut Tok Pisin

   I do not understand Tok Pisin well

   Usage

   Honestly saying you do not understand Tok Pisin well

   Grammar Note

   "Save" from "savvy" means to know or understand. "No save" = don't know / don't understand.

5. Raitim dispela wod long pepa, plis

   Please write this word on paper

   Usage

   Asking someone to write a word down for you

   Grammar Note

   "Raitim" from "write him" = to write something. "Long pepa" = on paper; "long" is the all-purpose preposition.

6. Wanem nem bilong dispela samting long Tok Pisin?

   What is the name of this thing in Tok Pisin?

   Usage

   Asking the Tok Pisin name for something

   Grammar Note

   "Wanem nem" from "what name" is the standard question for asking about names or titles.

7. Mi save toktok liklik Tok Pisin

   I can speak a little Tok Pisin

   Usage

   Humbly saying you can speak a little Tok Pisin

   Grammar Note

   "Liklik" is the reduplicated form of "little," meaning a little or small. Reduplication is common in Tok Pisin.

8. Tok bilong mi i stret?

   Is my speech correct?

   Usage

   Asking if what you said was correct

   Grammar Note

   "Stret" from "straight" means correct, straight, or proper — used as both adjective and adverb.

9. Mi laik painim wanpela man i save gut long Tok Pisin

   I want to find a Tok Pisin language expert

   Usage

   Looking for a Tok Pisin speaker to learn from

   Grammar Note

   "Man i save gut long X" = a person who knows X well. "Save" means "to know" and "gut" means "well".

10. Trenim mi long toktok Tok Pisin, plis

    Please train me in Tok Pisin conversation

    Usage

    Asking for help practising Tok Pisin conversation

    Grammar Note

    "Trenim" from "train him" = to train or teach someone. "Toktok" is the reduplicated "talk" meaning conversation or speech.

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