Basic Nouns

1. Wota

   Wo-ta

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with a gesture

2. Kakae

   Ka-kae

   Food

   Usage

   The general word to use when you are looking for something to eat

3. Mane

   Ma-ne

   Money

   Usage

   The basic word when talking about paying or changing money

4. Toelet

   To-e-let

   Toilet

   Usage

   This single word is usually enough for someone to point the way

5. Tisu

   Ti-su

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking for paper at an eatery or a public toilet

6. Meresin

   Me-re-sin

   Medicine

   Usage

   The general word to lead with at a pharmacy

7. Kago

   Luggage

   Usage

   For storing, carrying, or collecting your bags

8. Ki

   Key

   Usage

   At a hotel front desk when handing over or collecting a key

9. Tiket

   Ti-ket

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both travel tickets and entry tickets

10. Paspot

    Pas-pot

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, money changers, and immigration

11. Telefon

    Te-le-fon

    Phone

    Usage

    Used both for the device and for making a call

12. Chaja

    Cha-ja

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one

13. Stesen

    Ste-sen

    Station

    Usage

    The most common landmark word when asking for directions

14. Hospital

    Hos-pi-tal

    Usage

    The first word to say when you feel seriously unwell

15. Polis

    Po-lis

    Police

    Usage

    Who to ask for after a theft or an accident

16. Stoa

    Sto-a

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when asking where you can buy something

17. Rum

    Room

    Usage

    For booking, changing, or checking availability at a hotel

18. Rod

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, usually while showing a map

19. Famle

    Fam-le

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up constantly in introductions and small talk

20. Nem

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. Hed

    Head

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

22. Ae

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at it to show an eye problem

23. Tut

    Tooth

    Usage

    Point at it to show a toothache

24. Nek

    Neck

    Usage

    Point at the neck; the same word also covers the throat

25. Bel

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    Point at the belly; "bel" also means feelings

26. Baksaed

    Back

    Usage

    Point at it to show back pain

27. Leg

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Point at it to show leg or foot pain; gesture at your own body for the exact spot

28. Han

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    "Han" covers both hand and arm

29. Jes

    Chest

    Usage

    Point at it to show chest pain or tightness; also spelled "jas" — not Tok Pisin "bros"

30. Ia

    Ear

    Usage

    Point at it to show an ear problem. The same word appears in "iaring" (earring) and "iafon" (earphone)

31. Fingga

    Finger

    Usage

    Point at it to show a finger injury

32. Skin

    Usage

    Show a rash or other skin trouble

33. Nus

    Nose

    Usage

    Point at it to show a nose problem

34. Blad

    Blood

    Usage

    Use when reporting bleeding

35. Bun

    Bone

    Usage

    Use when you suspect a broken bone

36. Hotel

    Usage

    Point at it to show where you are going

37. Epot

    Airport

    Usage

    Point at it to show a taxi where to go

38. Bas stop

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point at it when asking for directions

39. Embasi

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point at it in an emergency such as a lost passport

40. Ples blong jenisim mane

    Money changer

    Usage

    Ask where you can change money

41. Maket

    Market

    Usage

    Point at it to show where you are going

42. Stoa blong meresin

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    Ask where you can buy medicine

Browse all TravelPhrases languages