Shopping

1. Hamas long dispela?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking the price of something at a market or shop

   Grammar Note

   "Dispela" (this) and "datpela" (that) come from "this fella" and "that fella." The suffix "-pela" is a key Tok Pisin morpheme.

2. Inap yu daunim prais?

   Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   Used for price negotiation at markets and stalls

   Grammar Note

   "Inap" (from "enough") functions as "is it possible?" Bargaining is common in PNG markets.

3. Prais i bikpela tumas

   The price is too high

   Usage

   A negotiation phrase used when the price seems too high

   Grammar Note

   "Bikpela" (from "big fella") means big or large. Its opposite is "liklik" (small/little). Both are key adjectives in Tok Pisin.

4. Mi laik baim dispela

   I would like to buy this

   Usage

   Used to indicate you want to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "Baim" = "buy" + transitive marker "-im." Negate with "Mi no laik baim" (I don't want to buy it).

5. Yu gat senis?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether the seller has change when paying

   Grammar Note

   In PNG, vendors often cannot make change for large notes. Keeping small notes and coins (senis) is very practical.

6. Dispela i naispela tumas

   This is very nice

   Usage

   Used to compliment an item or show interest in buying

   Grammar Note

   Tok Pisin adjectives commonly follow the "[English root]-pela" pattern: bikpela, gutpela, naispela, etc.

7. Stoa i op o pas?

   Is the store open or closed?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a shop is open or closed

   Grammar Note

   "Pas" (from "pass") uniquely means "closed" or "blocked" in Tok Pisin. "Rot i pas" = the road is blocked; "doa i pas" = the door is closed.

8. Bilas bilong PNG

   Traditional PNG handicrafts / ornaments

   Usage

   Used when looking for traditional handicrafts as souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   PNG has over 800 languages, each with unique craft traditions. Tambuan carvings, feather ornaments, and masks (all bilas, "ornaments") are popular souvenirs.

9. Yu putim long bek, plis

   Please put it in a bag

   Usage

   Used to ask for your purchases to be bagged

   Grammar Note

   Adding "plis" turns an imperative into a polite request. The verb + "-im" transitive pattern is characteristic of Tok Pisin.

10. Resit, plis

    Receipt please

    Usage

    Used to request a receipt after payment

    Grammar Note

    Larger PNG stores issue receipts; market stalls usually do not. "Givim mi resit, plis" is a fuller form of this request.

11. Yu gat narapela kala?

    Do you have another colour?

    Usage

    Used to ask for a different colour option

    Grammar Note

    "Narapela" (another/other) follows the "-pela" adjective pattern. "Narapela sais?" = "Do you have another size?"

12. Mi no nidim resit

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Used to decline a receipt when it is offered.

    Grammar Note

    Negation is simply "no" placed before the verb. The "-im" on "nidim" marks a transitive verb that takes an object.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages