Massage & Spa

1. Yu save givim mi masas?

   yu sa-ve giv-im mi ma-sas

   Can you give me a massage?

   Usage

   Used to request a massage

   Grammar Note

   "Yu save givim mi...?" politely asks if someone can give you something. "save" adds politeness and expresses ability.

2. Mi wantem traem masas blong ples.

   mi wan-tem traem ma-sas blong ples

   I want to try a traditional massage.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to experience a traditional local massage

   Grammar Note

   "blong ples" means belonging to the place, indicating local or traditional. "ples" comes from English "place".

3. Hamas taem bae i tekem?

   ha-mas taem bae i tek-em

   How long will it take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long the massage will take

   Grammar Note

   "Hamas taem" asks about duration. "bae i tekem" means will take; "bae" is the future marker.

4. Mekem isi moa. I hatem mi.

   mek-em i-si mo-a i ha-tem mi

   Do it more gently. It hurts me.

   Usage

   Used to request less pressure during a massage

   Grammar Note

   "isi" from "easy" means gently or slowly. "hatem" from "hurt him" means to hurt or cause pain.

5. Mekem strong moa long ples ia.

   mek-em strong mo-a long ples i-a

   Press harder here.

   Usage

   Used to request more pressure in a specific area

   Grammar Note

   "strong moa" means harder/stronger; "moa" from "more" forms comparatives. "Here" is "long ples ia" (lit. at this place). "Hia" is the Tok Pisin form.

6. Mi wantem masas wetem kokonas oel.

   mi wan-tem ma-sas we-tem ko-ko-nas oel

   I want a massage with coconut oil.

   Usage

   Used to request a massage using coconut oil

   Grammar Note

   In Vanuatu, coconut oil (pressed from copra, the dried coconut meat) is widely used as a traditional body oil. "wetem" also functions as a preposition of means.

7. Mi wantem rilaks mo malolo.

   mi wan-tem ri-laks mo ma-lo-lo

   I want to relax and rest.

   Usage

   Used to express the desire for rest and relaxation

   Grammar Note

   "mo" is the conjunction and, commonly used in Bislama. "malolo" is Melanesian in origin meaning rest.

8. Mi wantem ful bodi masas.

   mi wan-tem ful bo-di ma-sas

   I want a full body massage.

   Usage

   Used to request a full body massage

   Grammar Note

   "ful bodi masas" directly incorporates English "full body massage" into Bislama. English loans may undergo slight phonological changes.

9. Hamas?

   ha-mas

   How much?

   Usage

   The simplest way to ask about the price

   Grammar Note

   "Hamas?" alone constitutes a complete question meaning how much. Bislama allows highly abbreviated expressions in context.

10. Masas i gud tumas. Tangkiu!

    ma-sas i gud tu-mas tang-kiu

    The massage was very good. Thank you!

    Usage

    Used to express satisfaction after a massage

    Grammar Note

    "Tangkiu" is the basic Bislama thank you. Add "tumas" (very much) for "tangkiu tumas" to express greater gratitude.

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