Public Transport

1. Bas i go long wanem hap?

   Where does this bus go?

   Usage

   Used at a bus stop to check the destination of a bus

   Grammar Note

   "I" is the third-person singular verb marker in Tok Pisin. "Long" is a multipurpose preposition for place, direction, and time.

2. Wea mi ken baim tiket?

   Where do I buy a ticket?

   Usage

   Asking where to purchase a ticket for transport

   Grammar Note

   "Baim" is a transitive verb with the "-im" suffix. "Wea" is a shortened form of "where" used in place questions, and "ken" means "can".

3. Haumas mani bilong tiket?

   How much is the ticket?

   Usage

   Asking the price of a ticket

   Grammar Note

   "Haumas mani bilong X" is a fixed phrase meaning "how much does X cost?" "Bilong" shows possession or relation.

4. Mi laik go long taun

   I want to go to town

   Usage

   Telling a driver or dispatcher your destination

   Grammar Note

   "Laik" is a modal expressing desire, from "like." "Mi laik + verb" is the basic structure for "I want to."

5. Bas i kamap long wanem taim?

   What time does the bus arrive?

   Usage

   Asking when the bus arrives

   Grammar Note

   "Kamap" comes from "come up" meaning to arrive or appear. "Wanem taim" is the standard question phrase for asking time.

6. Stopim bas long hia

   Stop the bus here

   Usage

   Asking the bus driver to stop

   Grammar Note

   The subject is omitted in imperatives. The "-im" suffix marks the verb as transitive. "Hia" is a phonetic spelling of "here."

7. Rot i orait?

   Is the road okay?

   Usage

   Checking if the road to a destination is passable

   Grammar Note

   "I" marks the third-person verb. "Orait" is widely used as an adjective or adverb. Questions are made by rising intonation.

8. PMV i go we?

   Where does the PMV minibus go?

   Usage

   Asking the destination of a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) minibus in PNG

   Grammar Note

   PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) is the main public transport in PNG. "We" as a question word is placed after the verb.

9. Inap mi kam daun nau?

   Can I get off now?

   Usage

   Asking permission to alight from a bus or shared taxi

   Grammar Note

   "Inap" means "can/may/enough" from "enough." "Inap mi ...?" forms a request for permission. "Kam daun" (from "come down") means to get off.

10. Sip i lusim taun long wanem taim?

    What time does the ship leave town?

    Usage

    Asking the departure time of a boat or ship at the port

    Grammar Note

    "Lusim" comes from "loose him" meaning to leave or depart. Boats are a key transport mode along PNG's coast, making this phrase very useful.

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