Sightseeing

1. Wanem naispela hap long lukluk?

   What are some nice places to see?

   Usage

   Used to ask locals about sightseeing spots

   Grammar Note

   Reduplication (lukluk, kaikai, etc.) is common in Tok Pisin, often adding a sense of continuation or intensity. PNG is famous for Highland tribal culture, world-class diving, and birds of paradise.

2. Singsing bilong PNG i gutpela tumas

   The PNG singsing (cultural festival) is very wonderful

   Usage

   Used when talking about a singsing, a traditional PNG cultural dance festival

   Grammar Note

   A "singsing" is PNG's premier cultural event. The Mount Hagen Cultural Show is the most famous. Tribes attend in full traditional dress and body paint.

3. Wea mi inap go daun long solwara?

   Where can I go diving / see the fish (underwater)?

   Usage

   PNG has world-class dive sites. Used to ask about diving or snorkelling spots

   Grammar Note

   "Go daun long solwara" means to go down into the sea, i.e. to dive. "Inap" means "can". Tufi and Milne Bay in PNG are among the world's best dive destinations. "Bokis bilong pis" (box of fish) would mean an aquarium, so it is not used here.

4. Pisin bilong paradais i stap we?

   Where can I see birds of paradise?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to spot birds of paradise, PNG's national symbol

   Grammar Note

   Birds of paradise feature on PNG's national emblem. They are found in Highland jungles and around Tari. The bird word "pisin" comes from English "pigeon"; it is a homophone of, and unrelated to, the "Pisin" in "Tok Pisin" (from English "pidgin").

5. Mi laik go lukim Highlands

   I want to go and see the Highlands

   Usage

   Used to express the desire to visit PNG's famous Highlands region

   Grammar Note

   The Highlands is PNG's mountainous interior, home to diverse tribal cultures. Key towns include Mount Hagen, Goroka, and Tari.

6. Maunten i antap tumas

   The mountain is very high

   Usage

   Used when describing scenery or natural features

   Grammar Note

   Mt Wilhelm (4,509m) in PNG is one of the highest peaks in the Pacific Islands. "Antap" (from "on top") means high, above, or up.

7. Solwara bilong PNG i nais

   The sea / ocean around PNG is beautiful

   Usage

   Used when talking about PNG's beautiful coastal waters

   Grammar Note

   "Solwara" (literally "salt water" = sea/ocean) is a good example of Tok Pisin word formation. Raunwara ("round water") means "lake", not "sea". PNG is surrounded by the Bismarck, Solomon and Coral Seas, rich with coral reefs.

8. Gaden i stap long hap.

   The garden / nature is over that way

   Usage

   Used to indicate a garden or natural area

   Grammar Note

   PNG has the world's third-largest tropical rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity. "Gaden" covers everything from home gardens to national parks.

9. Mi laik kisim piksa hia

   I would like to take a photo here

   Usage

   Used to request permission to take a photo at a sightseeing spot

   Grammar Note

   "Kisim piksa" = take a photo. Always ask permission before photographing tribal people or ceremonies. "Inap mi kisim piksa bilong yu?" (Can I take your photo?) is the polite form.

10. Ples bilong kastom i naispela

    The traditional village is beautiful / wonderful

    Usage

    Used when praising traditional PNG villages and customs

    Grammar Note

    "Kastom" is a crucial concept in PNG. "Kastom bilong mipela" = our traditions/customs. It encompasses cultural practices, land rights, and community identity.

11. Bikpela haus bilong gavman i stap we?

    Where is the main government building (parliament)?

    Usage

    Used in Port Moresby to ask about landmark government buildings

    Grammar Note

    Tok Pisin building vocabulary: "haus" (house) + bilong + function — haus sik = hospital, haus lotu = church, haus kakaruk = chicken coop.

12. Mi laik go long Pot Mosbi.

    I want to go to Port Moresby.

    Usage

    Used to express wanting to go to Port Moresby, PNG's capital

    Grammar Note

    "long" is Tok Pisin's versatile preposition meaning to, at, in, on, and more. It may derive from English "along".

13. Rot bilong Kokoda em i longpela na hat.

    The Kokoda Track is long and tough.

    Usage

    Used when talking about the historic Kokoda Track

    Grammar Note

    The Kokoda Track is a 96km trekking route famous as a WWII battleground. "rot" (road) derives from English "road".

14. Goroka em i naispela taun long Hailans.

    Goroka is a beautiful town in the Highlands.

    Usage

    Used to describe Goroka, the PNG Highlands main city

    Grammar Note

    Goroka hosts the famous Goroka Show (singsing). PNG's Highlands region is known for its unique culture and natural scenery.

15. Maunten Wilhelm em i antap olgeta long PNG.

    Mount Wilhelm is the highest peak in PNG.

    Usage

    Used when discussing Mount Wilhelm, PNG's highest mountain

    Grammar Note

    "antap" from "on top" means above or highest. Mount Wilhelm at 4509m is PNG's highest peak.

16. Tufi em i naispela ples bilong daiving na solwara.

    Tufi is a beautiful place for diving and the sea.

    Usage

    Used when talking about the Tufi fjords, famous for diving

    Grammar Note

    Tufi in Oro Province is a world-famous diving destination known for its tropical fjords and coral reefs.

17. Sepik Riba em i bikpela riba tru.

    The Sepik River is truly a great river.

    Usage

    Used to describe the grandeur of the Sepik River

    Grammar Note

    "tru" from "true" is an adverb used for emphasis. The Sepik River is 1126km long, flowing through northern PNG.

18. Rabaul i gat bikpela volkeno.

    Rabaul has a large volcano.

    Usage

    Used to describe the volcano at Rabaul

    Grammar Note

    Rabaul was devastated by the 1994 eruption. Today the Tavurvur and Vulcan volcanoes remain active.

19. Olsem wanem mi inap go long dispela ples?

    How can I get to that place?

    Usage

    Used to ask how to get to a destination

    Grammar Note

    "Olsem wanem" from "all same what name" means "how" and is placed at the beginning to ask about method.

20. Em i longwe tru?

    Is it very far away?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the distance to a destination

    Grammar Note

    "longwe" from "long way" means far. Adding "tru" (truly) emphasizes "really far away".

21. Wanem kainkain transpo i stap?

    What kinds of transport are available?

    Usage

    Used to ask about available transport options

    Grammar Note

    "kainkain" is a reduplication of "kind" meaning various types. PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) are the main transport in PNG.

22. Em i kostim hamas long go insait?

    How much is the entrance fee?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the entrance fee at a tourist site

    Grammar Note

    "go insait" means to go inside or enter. "insait" is derived from English "inside".

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