Dating & Romance

1. Yu luk gudfala tumas. Mi save sidaon wetem yu?

   Yu luk gud-fa-la tu-mas. Mi sa-ve si-da-on we-tem yu?

   You look very attractive. Can I sit with you?

   Usage

   A natural approach in Bislama, spoken in Vanuatu

   Grammar Note

   The predicate marker "i" attaches only to third-person subjects. First and second person (mi / yu / yumi / mifala / yufala) take no "i", so it is "Yu luk…", not "Yu i luk…"

2. Yu wantem go wokbaot o dringim kofi wetem mi?

   Yu wan-tem go wok-ba-ot o dring-im ko-fi we-tem mi?

   Would you like to go for a walk or coffee with me?

   Usage

   A common way to invite someone on a date in Vanuatu

   Grammar Note

   "Wantem" derives from English "want him/her" and means "want to"

3. Yu save givim namba blong fon blong yu long mi?

   Yu sa-ve gi-vim nam-ba blong fon blong yu long mi?

   Can I have your phone number?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask for contact information

   Grammar Note

   "Blong" is Bislama's possessive preposition, derived from English "belong to"

4. Mi laekem tumas taem mi stap wetem yu.

   Mi laek-em tu-mas taem mi stap we-tem yu.

   I really enjoy spending time with you.

   Usage

   A warm expression of enjoying time together

   Grammar Note

   "Stap" derives from "stay" and marks progressive or stative aspect

5. Smael blong yu i naes tumas.

   Sma-el blong yu i na-es tu-mas.

   You have a really nice smile.

   Usage

   A natural compliment about someone's smile

   Grammar Note

   Bislama often transcribes English words phonetically (naes = nice)

6. Yu wantem go aot wetem mi wan taem?

   Yu wan-tem go a-ot we-tem mi wan taem?

   Would you like to go out with me sometime?

   Usage

   A natural invitation to go on a date

   Grammar Note

   "Wan taem" means "sometime / once" and is used as a casual time expression

7. Mi no bin mitim wan man olsem yu bifo.

   Mi no bin mi-tim wan man ol-sem yu bi-fo.

   I've never met anyone like you before.

   Usage

   A sincere expression of how unique and special someone is

   Grammar Note

   "Bin" is a pre-verbal past tense marker derived from "been"

8. Mi laekem yu tumas.

   Mi laek-em yu tu-mas.

   I like you very much.

   Usage

   A simple, direct expression of strong affection

   Grammar Note

   "Tumas" derives from "too much" but means "very/a lot" as an intensifier

9. Yu mekem mi hapi tumas.

   Yu me-kem mi ha-pi tu-mas.

   You make me very happy.

   Usage

   Expressing the happiness someone brings you

   Grammar Note

   "Mekem" is a causative verb derived from "make him/her"

10. Taem mi go, mi bae mis yu.

    When I leave, I will miss you.

    Usage

    An emotional expression of longing before parting

    Grammar Note

    "Bae" is a pre-verbal future tense marker

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