Flirting

1. Yu naes tumas.

   yu naes tu-mas

   You are very nice/beautiful.

   Usage

   A basic expression of admiration for someone

   Grammar Note

   Simple Bislama compliment. The subject + adjective structure expresses "you are nice/beautiful".

2. Smael blong yu i swit tumas.

   smael blong yu i swit tu-mas

   Your smile is very sweet.

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's smile

   Grammar Note

   "smael" is the noun "smile" (spelled smael); no -em suffix here. The possessive "blong yu" follows the noun.

3. Yumi go dringim kava tugeta?

   yu-mi go dring-im ka-va tu-ge-ta

   Shall we go drink kava together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest drinking kava together, central to Vanuatu culture

   Grammar Note

   Kava is a traditional drink made from pepper plant roots, central to Vanuatu social life. It is drunk at nakamal (kava bars).

4. Ae blong yu i kaen tumas.

   ae blong yu i kaen tu-mas

   Your eyes are very kind.

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's eyes

   Grammar Note

   "ae" from "eye" means eye. The possessive "blong yu" (your) follows the noun.

5. Mi save sidaon wetem yu?

   mi sa-ve si-da-on we-tem yu

   Can I sit with you?

   Usage

   Used to politely ask to sit next to someone

   Grammar Note

   "wetem" from "with him" means with. "Mi save...?" asks permission to do something.

6. Talem mi moa long aeland blong yu.

   ta-lem mi mo-a long ae-land blong yu

   Tell me more about your island.

   Usage

   Used to show interest in someone's home island

   Grammar Note

   "talem" from "tell him" is a transitive verb. Asking about someone's home island is a natural conversation starter in Vanuatu.

7. Yu intrestin tumas. Mi wantem save moa long yu.

   yu in-tres-tin tu-mas mi wan-tem sa-ve mo-a long yu

   You are very interesting. I want to know more about you.

   Usage

   Used to show genuine interest in someone

   Grammar Note

   "wantem save" expresses the desire to know. "wantem" functions as the desire marker combined with "save" (to know).

8. Yumi wokbaot long bich tugeta?

   yu-mi wok-baot long bich tu-ge-ta

   Shall we walk on the beach together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest a beach walk together

   Grammar Note

   "wokbaot" from "walkabout" means to walk around; the place is given with "long bich". Vanuatu beaches are perfect for evening strolls.

9. Mi wantem lukim yu agen.

   mi wan-tem lu-kim yu a-gen

   I want to see you again.

   Usage

   Used when parting to express wanting to meet again

   Grammar Note

   "Lukim" (from "look him") means to see or meet; "wantem lukim" expresses the wish to see someone again.

10. Yu swit tumas, yu man blong kastom.

    yu swit tu-mas yu man blong kas-tom

    You are very charming, a person of tradition.

    Usage

    Used to praise someone's charm and cultural identity

    Grammar Note

    "blong kastom" means of tradition or belonging to kastom. It praises someone for valuing Vanuatu's traditional culture.

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