hatwok

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Tok Pisin

Etymology

From English hard work.

Verb

hatwok

  1. To work hard; to do labor; to struggle

Usage notes

Although wok hat is theoretically equivalent, it is usually only used when hat is being modified, as in the first sentence in the citation above, where tru (very) modifies hat.

Noun

hatwok

  1. difficulty
    • 1980, Bible Society of Papua New Guinea, Nupela Testamen na ol Sam Tok bilong Ritim Pastaim:
      Sampela taim i gat tupela o tripela ves long tok Grik, tasol i gat hatwok long brukim dispela tok long tupela o tripela ves long tok Pisin.
      Sometimes there are two or three verses in Greek, but it is difficult to break these words into two or three verses in Tok Pisin.
This entry has fewer than three known examples of actual usage, the minimum considered necessary for clear attestation, and may not be reliable. Tok Pisin is subject to a special exemption for languages with limited documentation. If you speak it, please consider editing this entry or adding citations. See also Help and the Community Portal.