PNG Language Phrases

Useful Pidgin Phrases:
Pidgin is a simple language that was developed so that the 800+ tribes of PNG could communicate with one another. Most Patpatar people will have a good understanding of Pidgin, and with a little practice you’ll find yourself able to use some of it too. (A lot of it has English similaries.) Here are a few phrases to get you started. There’s the phrase in Pidgin, a pronunciation guide, then the English translation:

Mi no save. (Mee no SAH-vay) I don’t know
Em wanem? (Em WAH-nem) What is it?
Nem bilong mi i… (Nem bi-LONG mee ee) My name is…
Yu mekim wanem? (Yoo MEH-kim WAH-nem) What are you doing?
Moning (MOH-ning) Good morning (sunrise to noon)
Apinun (AH-pee-noon) Good afternoon (noon to sunset)
Gut nait (Goot Night) Good evening (sunset to sunrise)
Tenkyu (TANK-yoo) Thank you
Bel bilong mi in no strong tumas – My stomach isn’t too strong
Em haumas – How much is this?
Wanem numba tu prais bilong yu – What is your second price?
Sori, mi no save tok Pisin – Sorry, I don’t understand Pigin
Mi bin stap long amerika – I am from America
Yu makim wanem – What are you doing?

Pronunciation Guide
a = a as in awesome
e = e as in elephant (except in “we” and “save” – then e= ei as in weigh)
i = ee as in see
o = o as in no
u = oo as in noon

Useful Patpatar Phrases:

Malan (Mah lawn)- Good morning (sunrise to 11:00)
Kasikes (Kas a kiss) Good Day
Matalahein (Maw tada hee in)Good afternoon (2:00 - sunset)
Abung (A Boone) Good Night (sunset to sunrise)
TaHoot (TA Hoot) Thank you
Beli (Bee lie) – very good