Learn Bislama Through Topics You Actually Care About

LingoBear creates short Bislama passages on topics you choose. Tap any word for an instant English translation and build your vocabulary as you read. English-based Melanesian creole, official language of Vanuatu alongside English and French, Latin script, ~10,000 native and ~200,000 second-language speakers.

Tap any word for instant translation

Every word in your Bislama reading passage is clickable. Get English translations and grammar help without leaving the text.

Read about topics you choose

Type any topic and LingoBear generates a fresh Bislama reading passage — from Tanna volcano to Port Vila markets.

What is Bislama and where is it spoken?

Bislama is an English-lexified creole and one of three official languages of Vanuatu, alongside English and French. It is the country's main lingua franca, with about 10,000 native speakers and 200,000+ second-language speakers across more than 100 indigenous language communities. The name comes from bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber), a 19th-century trade good.

What's distinctive about Bislama vocabulary?

Bislama uses an English-derived vocabulary with Melanesian phonology and grammar. Familiar examples include 'tank yu tumas' (thank you very much), 'wanem nem blong yu?' (what is your name?) and 'long' as a general preposition. The pronoun system distinguishes inclusive and exclusive 'we' (yumi vs mifala) — a feature absent in English.