Sports & Activities

1. Em i gutpela geim

   It is a good game

   Usage

   Used while watching a game or match

   Grammar Note

   "Em i" is the third-person singular construction. "i" is a subject marker placed before the verb.

2. Wea ol i plei bol?

   Where is the ball game played?

   Usage

   Used to ask where a sport is being played

   Grammar Note

   The question word "wea" comes first, followed by "ol i plei bol" (people play ball). Tok Pisin is spelled with the Latin alphabet alone and never uses IPA symbols such as ɔ, so the spelling is bol, not bɔl.

3. Mi laik luklukim futbol

   I want to watch football

   Usage

   Used to express a desire to watch a sport

   Grammar Note

   "Laik" is a modal verb expressing desire, placed before the main verb to mean "want to."

4. Husat i winim?

   Who won?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the result of a game

   Grammar Note

   "Husat" is the question word for "who." The "-im" in "winim" marks it as a transitive verb.

5. Yumi ken swim long solwara

   We can swim in the sea

   Usage

   Used when talking about swimming in the sea

   Grammar Note

   "Yumi" is the inclusive first-person plural (includes the listener). "Mipela" is used when excluding the listener.

6. Baket bol em i populer tumas

   Basketball is very popular

   Usage

   Used when discussing the popularity of a sport

   Grammar Note

   "Tumas" is a general intensifier placed after adjectives or verbs to mean "very" or "a lot."

7. Mi laik ran

   I want to run

   Usage

   Used when talking about running or exercising

   Grammar Note

   "Ran" is the intransitive verb "to run". The transitive "ranim" means "to run (something) / operate", so it is not used for running oneself.

8. Tenis graun i stap we?

   Where is the tennis court?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of a sports facility

   Grammar Note

   "Stap we?" is a set phrase for asking location. "Stap" is used as an existential verb meaning "is located."

9. Yumi mas mekim eksasais

   We must exercise

   Usage

   Used when talking about the need to exercise

   Grammar Note

   "Mas" is a modal verb expressing obligation, placed before the main verb to mean "must."

10. Wanpela tim i bagarapim narapela

    One team defeated the other

    Usage

    Used to describe the result of a match

    Grammar Note

    "-pela" is a suffix attached to numerals and demonstratives: "wanpela" (one), "tupela" (two), "narapela" (another).

Browse all TravelPhrases languages