Beach & Activities

1. Bich i stap wea?

   bich i stap we-a

   Where is the beach?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of the beach

   Grammar Note

   Bislama is Vanuatu's official language, an English-based creole similar to Tok Pisin but influenced by local Vanuatu languages.

2. Mi wantem swim long solwota.

   mi wan-tem swim long sol-wo-ta

   I want to swim in the sea.

   Usage

   Used to express wanting to swim in the sea

   Grammar Note

   "solwota" comes from "salt water", similar to Tok Pisin's "solwara". Bislama and Tok Pisin are sister creole languages.

3. Long ples ia i gat naes rif blong korel.

   long ples i-a i gat naes rif blong ko-rel

   Here there is a beautiful coral reef.

   Usage

   Used to describe a beautiful coral reef

   Grammar Note

   "i gat" expresses existence meaning there is. "long ples ia" means "at this place", i.e. here.

4. Ples blong daeving i stap wea?

   ples blong dae-ving i stap we-a

   Where is the diving spot?

   Usage

   Used to find a diving location

   Grammar Note

   "blong" is the most important Bislama preposition indicating possession and purpose. It shares the same origin as Tok Pisin's "bilong".

5. Lukaotem! I gat jelfish long wota.

   lu-kao-tem i gat jel-fish long wo-ta

   Look out! There are jellyfish in the water.

   Usage

   Used to warn about jellyfish danger

   Grammar Note

   "lukaotem" from "look out him" is a transitive verb meaning to watch out. "-em" is the Bislama transitive marker.

6. San i go daon. I naes tumas!

   san i go da-on i naes tu-mas

   The sun is setting. It is very beautiful!

   Usage

   Used to express admiration for the sunset

   Grammar Note

   "tumas" from "too much" means very, identical to Tok Pisin. This shows the shared origins of Melanesian Pidgins.

7. Mi wantem dringim kokonas wota.

   mi wan-tem dring-im ko-ko-nas wo-ta

   I want to drink coconut water.

   Usage

   Used to order coconut water

   Grammar Note

   Vanuatu has abundant coconuts; fresh coconut water is enjoyed on the beach. The "-em" in "dringim" is the transitive marker.

8. Mi wantem raed long kenu.

   mi wan-tem raed long ke-nu

   I want to ride a traditional canoe.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to ride a traditional canoe

   Grammar Note

   Traditional Vanuatu canoes were used for inter-island travel. Bislama uses "long" broadly as a preposition for means and location.

9. I gat totel long ples ia?

   i gat to-tel long ples i-a

   Are there sea turtles here?

   Usage

   Used to ask if sea turtles are present here

   Grammar Note

   Vanuatu is an important sea turtle habitat with active conservation efforts. "I gat...?" asks whether something exists.

10. Solwota i sef blong swim?

    sol-wo-ta i sef blong swim

    Is the sea safe for swimming?

    Usage

    Used to check if the sea is safe for swimming

    Grammar Note

    Many Vanuatu beaches are calm, sheltered by surrounding coral reefs.

11. Sanbij ia i waet tumas!

    san-bij i-a i waet tu-mas

    The sand is very white and beautiful!

    Usage

    Used to admire the beautiful white sand beaches of Vanuatu

    Grammar Note

    Vanuatu's white sand beaches like Champagne Beach are world-famous. "waet" is the colour adjective from English "white".

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