Slang

1. Olsem wanem?

   How's it going?

   Usage

   The most-used greeting in Vanuatu, literally "like what?". Safe with anyone

2. I oraet

   All good

   Usage

   The standard answer to that greeting; safe with anyone

3. Storian

   To yarn / chat

   Usage

   A word that captures Vanuatu itself — sitting and talking at length, typically at a nakamal. Safe with anyone

4. Nakamal

   Nakamal (kava bar / meeting place)

   Usage

   Both the village meeting house and the place to drink kava at dusk. It is also a serious space — always ask before taking photos. Note this is everyday vocabulary rather than slang

5. Kava

   Usage

   Vanuatu's national drink, also called "nakava". Start with "wan smol" — and staying quiet afterwards is the etiquette. Note this is everyday vocabulary rather than slang

6. Wan smol

   Just a little

   Usage

   Used for a serving of kava or of food; safe with anyone

7. Tumas

   Very / a lot

   Usage

   A post-word intensifier: "Naes tumas" = really nice. Safe with anyone

8. Tangkiu tumas

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Polite enough for someone senior

9. Nomo

   No more / only

   Usage

   "Wan nomo" = just one. Safe with anyone

10. Nogat

    Nope / not at all

    Usage

    A flat no. It lands hard, so soften it to "Sori, nogat" with someone senior

11. Awo!

    Whoa!

    Usage

    An interjection of surprise, like "oh boy!". Safe with anyone

12. Wantok

    Mate / friend

    Usage

    Literally "one talk". In Bislama it just means mate — it does not carry the heavy obligations it does in Tok Pisin. Use it with peers

13. Kastom

    Kastom (tradition)

    Usage

    Vanuatu's whole traditional system — land, ceremony, dance, dispute settlement. Never use it as a punchline

14. Lukim yu

    See you

    Usage

    A light goodbye; safe with anyone

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