Words & Phrases
USEFUL TERMS
Note: Many words from PNG’s Dutch, German, Australian and British colonial days are still in use today, and there is no change to a word or term when speaking in past, present or future tense. Plis Please Sori Sorry Wanem What Dispela This Nogat No Em nau! Yes/that’s right! Bagarap Broken/not good/sick Missis Ma’am/ “ white ” or foreign woman* Masta Sir/master/ “ white ” or foreign man* Meri Woman/girl Man/mangi Man/boy Sista/brata Sister/brother Mama/papa Mother/father Pikinini Child or children Malolo Rest/sleep/holiday Silip Sleep Haus House Raus/rausim Remove/throw out Itambu Forbidden Sindaun Sit down Sanap Stand up Dring (d-R-ing) Drink/drinking/drank Kaikai Food/eat/eating Laikim Like/would like Often used as an affectionate farewell. Wantaim Together, with Halivim Help Noken Do not No i nap Not enough or can’t Inap Enough or can Risit Receipt Pulap Full/full up Yu You Mi Me Em Him/her/it/that Blong/bilong
Jayphil Paul,12, with his Asaro Mudman mask, Luhuka village, near Goroka Photo: Steven Mutozo, MuddyPiksa, finalist i n the 2023 Lily #MyCulture Photo Competition
Belong/from/for (Bilong is often shortened to ‘ long ’ )
Liklik
Little/small Big/large Plenty/lots of
Bikpela
Planti Pinis
Finish/for good. (Dai pinis = deceased. Kaikai pinis = finished eating. Go pinis = leave for good)
Micah Tamba takes part in the cutting of the ring tabu (shell money) mourning ceremony, Tavtavul village, Kokopo Photo: Saikina Rex
* ‘ Missis ’ and ‘ Masta ’ are sometimes seen as derogatory, but villagers in more remote areas will address foreigners in this way without meaning offence.
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