Cooking & Markets

1. Maket i stap wea?

   Ma-ket i stap we-a?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   Bislama is an English-based creole. "stap" is the existential verb

2. Wanem nem blong samting blong kakae ya?

   Wa-nem nem blong sam-ting blong ka-kae ya?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "Blong" is the Bislama possessive particle, equivalent to English "of" or "'s". "This ..." is expressed by placing ya after the noun phrase. Dispela is the Tok Pisin demonstrative, not a Bislama word.

3. Kakae ya i hot tumas?

   Ka-kae ya i hot tu-mas?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   "Tumas" is the Bislama intensifier meaning "very/too much". "This dish" is kakae ya, with the demonstrative following the noun. Dispela is a Tok Pisin word and is not used here.

4. Yu save givim wan klas blong kukum?

   Yu sa-ve gi-vim wan klas blong ku-kum?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "save" is a Bislama modal verb expressing ability or knowledge

5. Olsem wanem yu kukum kakae ya?

   Ol-sem wa-nem yu ku-kum ka-kae ya?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Olsem wanem" asks about manner and corresponds to English "how". "This dish" is kakae ya, with the demonstrative after the noun.

6. Mi save pem fres vegetebol wea?

   Mi sa-ve pem fres ve-ge-te-bol we-a?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "wea" is the Bislama interrogative for location, placed at the end

7. Mi laekem lanem kukum kakae blong ples ia.

   Mi lae-kem la-nem ku-kum ka-kae blong ples i-a.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "Laekem" is a Bislama verb meaning "want/like". kaikai is the Tok Pisin spelling

8. Yu gat samting blong kakae blong vegeterian?

   Yu gat sam-ting blong ka-kae blong ve-ge-te-ri-an?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "Yu gat ~?" means "do you have ~?" in Bislama.Kaikai is the Tok Pisin spelling

9. Wanem spaes oli yusum long kakae ya?

   Wa-nem spaes o-li yu-sum long ka-kae ya?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Wanem" is the Bislama interrogative "what". Bislama nouns take no plural ending; plurality is marked by the preposed ol, never by an English -s.

10. Mi save traem smol?

    Mi sa-ve traem smol?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "save traem" means "can try"; "smol" means "a little/small"

11. Sol

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for seasoning or check an ingredient

12. Suga

    Sugar

    Usage

    Ask for seasoning or check an ingredient

13. Oel

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    Check what the dish is cooked in

14. Bata

    Butter

    Usage

    Check for dairy or order it

15. Sup

    Soup

    Usage

    Use when ordering

16. Anian

    Onion

    Usage

    Check for it or ask to leave it out

Browse all TravelPhrases languages