Papua New Guinea is a place of islands, rivers and more than 800 languages, where a few friendly words can open doors and spark conversations with locals. Whether you’re trekking, visiting markets, or staying in a village, having quick phrases at hand makes travel smoother and more respectful.
There are 43 Useful Phrases for Tourists in Papua New Guinea, ranging from ‘Et’ to ‘Yu save Tok Pisin?’. Each entry is organized into Language,Translation (EN),Pronunciation so you can see the meaning and learn how to say it — you’ll find below.
Which phrases should I learn first for a short trip to Papua New Guinea?
Start with greetings, thank you, simple questions (Where is…? How much?), numbers and a phrase for emergencies; these cover most everyday needs and show respect for local culture. Focus on a handful you can pronounce clearly, and carry the list for quick reference.
How accurate are the pronunciation notes and how can I practice them?
The pronunciation column gives a practical phonetic guide, but regional accents and Tok Pisin variations exist; treat the notes as approximations. Practice aloud before you go, use audio resources where possible, and don’t worry about perfection — locals appreciate the effort.
Useful Phrases for Tourists in Papua New Guinea
| Phrase | Language | Translation (EN) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gutpela moning | Tok Pisin | Good morning | goo-PEH-la mo-ning |
| Gutpela apinun | Tok Pisin | Good afternoon | goo-PEH-la ah-pee-noon |
| Gutpela nait | Tok Pisin | Good night | goo-PEH-la nyte |
| Tenkyu | Tok Pisin | Thank you | TEN-kyoo |
| Plis | Tok Pisin | Please | plees |
| Sori | Tok Pisin | Sorry / Excuse me | SOH-ree |
| Yu orait? | Tok Pisin | Are you OK?/How are you? | yu oh-RAIT? |
| Mi orait | Tok Pisin | I’m fine | mi oh-RAIT |
| Wanem nem bilong yu? | Tok Pisin | What is your name? | WAH-nem NEHM bee-LOONG yu |
| Mi nem bilong mi… | Tok Pisin | My name is… | mi NEHM bee-LOONG mi… |
| Yu save Tok Pisin? | Tok Pisin | Do you speak Tok Pisin? | yu SAH-vay tok PIS-in? |
| Mi no save | Tok Pisin | I don’t understand / I don’t know | mi no SAH-vay |
| Plis tok slow | Tok Pisin | Please speak slowly | plees tok SLOW |
| Wanem dispela? | Tok Pisin | What is this? | WAH-nem dis-PAY-la? |
| Hamas? | Tok Pisin | How much?/How many? | HA-mas? |
| Mi laik | Tok Pisin | I want / I’d like | mi LAYK |
| Mi laikim | Tok Pisin | I like it | mi LY-kim |
| Plis givim mi… | Tok Pisin | Please give me… | plees GI-vim mi… |
| Mi laik baim | Tok Pisin | I want to buy it | mi LAYK BAYM |
| Mi no gat mani | Tok Pisin | I have no money | mi no gat MAH-nee |
| We i stap? | Tok Pisin | Where is it?/Where are you? | we ee STAP? |
| Go stret | Tok Pisin | Go straight | go STRET |
| Tanim | Tok Pisin | Turn | TAH-nim |
| Lukaut | Tok Pisin | Be careful / Watch out | loo-KAHT |
| Helpim mi | Tok Pisin | Help me | HELP-im mi |
| Kolim polis | Tok Pisin | Call the police | koh-LIM POH-lis |
| Kolim dokta | Tok Pisin | Call a doctor | koh-LIM DOHK-ta |
| Mi sik | Tok Pisin | I am sick | mi SIK |
| Mi mas go long dokta | Tok Pisin | I must go to the doctor | mi MAS go long DOHK-ta |
| We i gat toilet? | Tok Pisin | Is there a toilet? | we ee gat TOY-let? |
| Plis givim wara | Tok Pisin | Please give me water | plees GI-vim WAH-rah |
| Plas bilong kaikai | Tok Pisin | Place to eat / restaurant | PLAS bee-LOONG KAI-kai |
| Wanem taim? | Tok Pisin | What time?/When? | WAH-nem TIME? |
| Wanpela | Tok Pisin | One | WAHN-peh-la |
| Tu | Tok Pisin | Two | too |
| Tripela | Tok Pisin | Three | tri-PEH-la |
| Foa | Tok Pisin | Four | fo-ah |
| Faiv | Tok Pisin | Five | fyv |
| Siks | Tok Pisin | Six | siks |
| Sebun | Tok Pisin | Seven | seh-BUN |
| Et | Tok Pisin | Eight | et |
| Nain | Tok Pisin | Nine | nye-in |
| Ten | Tok Pisin | Ten | ten |
Descriptions
Gutpela moning
Use this friendly morning greeting when meeting locals, market sellers or hosts. It shows respect and warmth; a handshake often follows. Useful for starting conversations politely in towns, guesthouses, and community visits during early hours.
Gutpela apinun
Say this greeting from midday onward when arriving at shops, markets or meeting people. It signals friendliness and basic cultural respect and is appropriate for casual or semi-formal encounters with locals in villages and towns.
Gutpela nait
Use when leaving in the evening or saying farewell before sleep at guesthouses, homestays or community events. It’s polite and often used with a handshake or nod; avoid loud behaviour after nightfall in small communities.
Tenkyu
Short, widely used expression of thanks for service, directions, purchases or kindness. Saying it sincerely is valued. Add “tru” if you want to emphasize gratitude. Always useful after market transactions and hospitality.
Plis
Simple polite request marker used before asking for help, items, or services. Use in markets, transport or when asking for directions. Politeness goes far in PNG; combine with “tenkyu” after requests are granted.
Sori
Use to apologize, politely get attention or excuse yourself in crowds. Helpful in busy markets, on buses or when accidentally bumping someone. Say it with a small bow or smile to show genuine regret.
Yu orait?
Common conversational opener among locals and shopkeepers. Use to ask after someone’s wellbeing or to break the ice. Locals appreciate the friendly tone; follow up with “mi orait” if asked in return.
Mi orait
A common, brief reply to “Yu orait?” Use in casual conversation, markets and with hosts. It signals you’re well and ready to continue interaction. Can be followed by asking the other person how they are.
Wanem nem bilong yu?
Use this polite question when meeting someone new, guides or homestay hosts. Names and introductions build rapport. Use a handshake and smile. Expect to share your name and sometimes family or village information.
Mi nem bilong mi…
A simple way to introduce yourself to hosts, guides and new acquaintances. Adding a smile and asking the other person’s name shows respect and helps establish friendly relations in communities.
Yu save Tok Pisin?
Useful when you need to know whether to switch to Tok Pisin, English, or get an interpreter. Helpful with shopkeepers, drivers or local guides. Many urban residents do; rural areas vary.
Mi no save
Handy to admit confusion politely when someone speaks quickly or uses unfamiliar words. Use before asking for repetition or a simpler explanation. Being honest is appreciated and keeps communication clear.
Plis tok slow
Ask this when you can’t follow rapid speech. Useful with drivers, market sellers and new acquaintances. Locals will often slow down or use simpler words. Say it politely to encourage patience.
Wanem dispela?
Useful when pointing at food, a product, or an item in markets and shops. Locals will usually explain ingredients, price or origin. Shows curiosity and respect when trying unfamiliar foods or crafts.
Hamas?
Essential bargaining and buying question at markets, roadside stalls and for services. Use when pointing to an item. Expect counteroffers; negotiating politely is common. Add “plis” to sound courteous.
Mi laik
Short phrase to indicate desire for food, items, or services. Use with pointing or naming the item. Politeness and eye contact help. Useful in markets, restaurants and when arranging transport.
Mi laikim
Say this to compliment food, crafts, scenery, or hospitality. Locals appreciate positive feedback. Use when thanking a cook, artisan or host. It can open up friendly conversation and goodwill.
Plis givim mi…
Polite way to request an item or service in markets, shops or homestays. Combine with the item name or point. Shows courtesy and makes transactions smoother.
Mi laik baim
Use when committing to a purchase in markets or shops. Clear and direct phrase that signals you will pay. Follow with money or ask for exact price if needed.
Mi no gat mani
Useful to explain limited funds when bargaining or declining offers. Say respectfully to avoid offence. Locals will often sympathize; avoid using it to haggle unfairly.
We i stap?
Use to ask location of places, items or people. Combine with a noun: “We i stap polis?” (Where is the police?). Handy around towns, bus stations and markets.
Go stret
Direction phrase for walking or driving instructions. Useful when asking for route guidance from drivers, taxi owners or locals. Combine with distance words or landmarks for clarity.
Tanim
Short command or direction when navigating streets and paths. Used with left/right indicators like “tanim go raet” (turn right). Useful when giving or following directions in town or rural roads.
Lukaut
Safety phrase to warn about hazards like cliffs, waves, slippery paths or traffic. Use it to caution companions or heed local warnings. Respect for local guidance prevents accidents.
Helpim mi
Urgent but polite request for assistance with carrying items, medical issues, or safety. Use in markets, on boats, or in emergencies. Locals will usually respond quickly; follow with brief explanation of the problem.
Kolim polis
Use in theft, serious disputes or threats. Say clearly and request location. Police response times vary by area; in remote places seek village leaders or local authorities first.
Kolim dokta
Use for medical emergencies or severe illness. In towns hospitals are available, but in remote communities expect limited services. Ask hosts or hotel staff to assist contacting health services quickly.
Mi sik
State your condition simply to hosts, guides, or transport staff to request help or stop travel. Can refer to general illness, food sickness or seasickness. Follow up by asking for a doctor or water.
Mi mas go long dokta
Use to explain the need to visit medical facilities. Helpful when arranging transport or asking locals for directions. Convey urgency if symptoms are severe so others assist quickly.
We i gat toilet?
Essential when in markets, stations, guesthouses or public places. Polite to ask; public toilets may be basic. Use with “plis” for politeness. Carry tissue and sanitizer as supplies vary.
Plis givim wara
Request for drinking water in markets, on buses or at homestays. Important in hot climates or after long travel. Always be polite and accept local serving customs, often in shared cups.
Plas bilong kaikai
Useful phrase to ask where to eat in towns and villages. Locals will point to markets, small cafes or guesthouse kitchens. Helpful when searching for safe cooked food rather than raw street options.
Wanem taim?
Ask about opening hours, bus departures or event times. Useful at markets, for ferries or tours. Combine with place or event name to get precise schedule information from sellers or staff.
Wanpela
Basic number for buying, giving change or telling quantity. Useful in markets, ticket buying and sharing costs. Learn plural forms and combine with items for clear communication when purchasing goods.
Tu
Essential number for counting, bargaining and arranging transport or seats. Use when asking for two items, two tickets, or splitting costs. Clear pronunciation helps avoid confusion in noisy markets.
Tripela
Useful for purchases, group sizes or directions involving small numbers. Often used in markets and transport. Combine with item names to indicate quantities to sellers or drivers.
Foa
Number useful for ordering, bargaining and describing counts. Tok Pisin numbers are frequently used alongside English numerals, so being familiar helps in everyday transactions.
Faiv
Common number for prices, group sizes and counting. Useful in markets and for splitting bills. Sellers may use Tok Pisin or English numbers interchangeably; understanding both speeds communication.
Siks
Useful counting word for purchases, ticket numbers, or describing quantities. Helpful when negotiating group logistics or ordering larger quantities of goods from markets or stores.
Sebun
Number for ordering and counting. Keep this and the next few numerals handy when buying multiple items or discussing group sizes with drivers and hosts.
Et
Common numeral used in shopping, organizing group transport or describing sizes and quantities. Useful in everyday interactions where numbers are needed quickly.
Nain
Number useful for counting and telling prices. Familiarity with 1–10 in Tok Pisin makes transactions smoother and reduces reliance on calculators or repeated price checks.
Ten
Round number frequently used in pricing, counting and planning. Knowing 1–10 covers many common market and transport situations and helps with quick mental math during bargaining.
