Massage & Spa

1. Inap yu mekim masas long mi?

   i-nap yu mei-kim ma-sas long mi

   Can you give me a massage?

   Usage

   Used to request a massage

   Grammar Note

   "mekim" from "make him" is a versatile transitive verb meaning to do or make. "Inap yu...?" is a polite way to ask if someone can do something.

2. Mi laik traim masas bilong ples.

   mi laik traim ma-sas bi-long ples

   I want to try a traditional massage.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to experience a traditional local massage

   Grammar Note

   "bilong ples" means of the place or traditional. "ples" from "place" means location, land, or village.

3. Bai dispela kisim hamas taim?

   bai dis-pe-la ki-sim ha-mas taim

   How long will this take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long the massage session will take

   Grammar Note

   "hamas" from "how much" asks about quantity. It combines with nouns like "taim" (time) to ask duration questions.

4. Mekim isi moa. I pen liklik.

   mei-kim i-si mo-a i pen lik-lik

   Do it more gently. It hurts a little.

   Usage

   Used to ask for less pressure during a massage

   Grammar Note

   "isi" from "easy" means gently or slowly. "liklik" is a reduplication of "little" meaning a little bit.

5. Mekim strong moa long dispela hap.

   mei-kim strong mo-a long dis-pe-la hap

   Press harder in this area.

   Usage

   Used to request more pressure in a specific area

   Grammar Note

   "hap" evolved from "half" to mean area, place, or direction. "long dispela hap" (in this area) is a prepositional phrase.

6. Mi laik masas wantaim wel.

   mi laik ma-sas wan-taim wel

   I would like a massage with oil.

   Usage

   Used to request an oil massage

   Grammar Note

   "wantaim" means with or together and also serves as a preposition indicating means. Traditional oils like copra oil are used in PNG.

7. Mi laik malolo na rileks.

   mi laik ma-lo-lo na ri-leks

   I want to rest and relax.

   Usage

   Used to express the desire for rest and relaxation

   Grammar Note

   "malolo" is a Melanesian word meaning to rest. Tok Pisin includes Melanesian vocabulary in addition to English-derived words.

8. Mi laik olgeta bodi masas.

   mi laik ol-ge-ta bo-di ma-sas

   I would like a full body massage.

   Usage

   Used to request a full body massage

   Grammar Note

   "Whole, all" is olgeta. "Hap" means half or a part and cannot be used for a full-body massage. "Bodi" comes from English "body".

9. Em i kostim hamas?

   em i kos-tim ha-mas

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the price of a massage

   Grammar Note

   "Em i kostim hamas?" is the standard way to ask about price. "hamas" is a general question word for quantity and price.

10. Masas em i gutpela tumas. Tenk yu!

    ma-sas em i gut-pe-la tu-mas tenk yu

    The massage was very good. Thank you!

    Usage

    Used to express satisfaction after a massage

    Grammar Note

    "Tenk yu" is the basic expression of thanks in Tok Pisin, from "thank you". It is widely used in polite contexts.

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