Compliments

1. Aeland blong yu i naes tumas!

   ae-land blong yu i naes tu-mas

   Your island is very beautiful!

   Usage

   Used to praise the beauty of a Vanuatu island

   Grammar Note

   A basic Bislama compliment. Vanuatu consists of 83 islands, each with unique culture and nature.

2. Kastom blong yu i strong tumas!

   kas-tom blong yu i strong tu-mas

   Your kastom (custom/tradition) is very strong!

   Usage

   Used to praise the strong traditional culture of Vanuatu

   Grammar Note

   "kastom" from "custom" is a crucial Bislama word referring to all of Vanuatu's traditional culture and practices.

3. Laplap i swit tumas! Mi laekem tumas.

   lap-lap i swit tu-mas mi laek-em tu-mas

   Lap lap is very delicious! I love it very much.

   Usage

   Used to praise laplap, Vanuatu's national dish

   Grammar Note

   Laplap is Vanuatu's traditional dish made from grated taro or yam wrapped in banana leaves and baked

4. Ol man blong ples ia oli kaen tumas.

   ol man blong ples i-a o-li kaen tu-mas

   The people here are very kind.

   Usage

   Used to praise the kindness of local people in Vanuatu

   Grammar Note

   "ol man" means people or folks. "ol" is the plural marker from "all". Vanuatans are known for their warm hospitality.

5. Blu hol blong Santo i naes tumas!

   blu hol blong san-to i naes tu-mas

   The blue holes of Santo are very beautiful!

   Usage

   Used to praise the famous blue holes of Espiritu Santo

   Grammar Note

   Santo's blue holes are emerald freshwater springs and one of Vanuatu's top attractions.

6. Naghol i wan strong kastom blong Pentekos!

   nag-hol i wan strong kas-tom blong pen-te-kos

   Naghol (land diving) is a powerful tradition of Pentecost island!

   Usage

   Used to praise naghol, the traditional land diving of Pentecost Island

   Grammar Note

   Naghol is believed to be the ancestor of bungee jumping. It is performed annually on Pentecost Island during the harvest season (April-May).

7. Ol handikraft blong yu i naes tumas.

   ol han-di-kraft blong yu i naes tu-mas

   Your handicrafts are very nice.

   Usage

   Used to praise traditional Vanuatu handicrafts

   Grammar Note

   Vanuatu traditional crafts include wood carving, weaving, and sand drawing. Sand drawing is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

8. Bus blong yu i grin mo naes tumas.

   bus blong yu i grin mo naes tu-mas

   Your jungle is very green and beautiful.

   Usage

   Used to praise the lush rainforests of Vanuatu

   Grammar Note

   "Bos" from "bush" refers to jungle and wild natural areas. Vanuatu has rich rainforests and biodiversity.

9. Yu welkamem mi olsem wan famle. Tangkiu tumas!

   yu wel-ka-mem mi ol-sem wan fam-le tang-kiu tu-mas

   You welcomed me like family. Thank you very much!

   Usage

   Used to express gratitude for being welcomed like family

   Grammar Note

   "Olsem" from "all same" means like or as. "famlif" from "family" means family. Vanuatans are known for treating visitors like family.

10. Bislama blong yu i gud tumas!

    bis-la-ma blong yu i gud tu-mas

    Your Bislama is very good!

    Usage

    Used to compliment someone's Bislama language ability

    Grammar Note

    Bislama's name may derive from "biche-de-mer" (sea cucumber). Vanuatu has over 110 languages; Bislama serves as the common lingua franca.

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