Numbers

1. wan, tu, tri, foa, faiv

   One, two, three, four, five

   Usage

   Basic numbers from one to five

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin numbers are adapted from English pronunciation. Adding "-pela" makes them quantifiers (e.g., wanpela = one thing).

2. sikis, seven, et, nain, ten

   Six, seven, eight, nine, ten

   Usage

   Numbers from six to ten

   Grammar Note

   "et" (8) is from "eight". "sikis" (6) adds a vowel to "six". Sound changes like these are characteristic of Tok Pisin.

3. wan handet

   One hundred

   Usage

   Used to express the number one hundred

   Grammar Note

   Larger numbers combine: "wan handet" (100), "tu handet" (200). Compound numbers follow a structure similar to English.

4. Em i kostim hamas?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most basic way to ask about the price

   Grammar Note

   "hamas" from "how much" is a general quantity question word. It can ask about price as well as any quantity.

5. hap

   Half

   Usage

   Used to express half a quantity

   Grammar Note

   "hap" from "half" means half or part. Use plain "hap" for "half"; the reduplicated "hap hap" has no support as a word for half.

6. planti

   Many/plenty

   Usage

   Used to express a large quantity or number

   Grammar Note

   "planti" from "plenty" is a quantifier meaning many or a lot. It precedes the noun. Example: "planti kaikai" (lots of food).

7. liklik

   A little/few

   Usage

   Used to express a small quantity

   Grammar Note

   "liklik" is a reduplication of "little" meaning a little or small. Reduplication in Tok Pisin emphasizes meaning or expresses repetition.

8. wan ten

   Ten (alternative expression)

   Usage

   An alternative way to express ten

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin can also build numbers with decimal combinations. This extends to "tu ten" (20), "tri ten" (30), etc.

9. Mi laik baim tripela.

   I want to buy three.

   Usage

   Used to specify the quantity you want to purchase

   Grammar Note

   As quantifiers, numbers take "-pela": "wanpela" (1), "tupela" (2), "tripela" (3). This is the counting system in Tok Pisin.

10. Hamas kina?

    How many kina? (PNG currency)

    Usage

    Used to ask about prices in PNG's currency, the kina

    Grammar Note

    Kina is PNG's main currency unit; the subunit is "toea". It is named after shell currency. "Hamas kina?" is the simplest way to ask a price.

11. wan tausen

    One thousand

    Usage

    Used to express one thousand

    Grammar Note

    "tausen" from "thousand" is a number word. Combine with preceding numbers: "tu tausen" (2000).

12. Namba bilong yu em wanem?

    What is your number?

    Usage

    Used to ask for someone's number (phone, room, etc.)

    Grammar Note

    "Namba bilong yu em wanem?" is a versatile phrase for asking any number. "wanem" (what) is a question word placed at the end.

13. Mi gat twenti-seven krismas

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    How to answer with your age. Swap the number to give any other age.

    Grammar Note

    Tok Pisin states age with "gat" (have), and counts years with "krismas" (Christmases). Numbers in the twenties join "twenti-" to the unit.

14. Long dispela yia, bai mi gat twenti-et krismas

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Used to state the age you reach in the current year.

    Grammar Note

    "Bai" marks the future and stands before the subject. "Yia" (year) is the calendar year, while "krismas" is the word used for counting a person's age.

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