When traveling to a foreign country, knowing how to greet people in their native language can greatly enhance your cultural experience and make interactions more enjoyable. This is especially true in Indonesia, where showing an interest in the local language and customs can help you connect with the people and the place on a deeper level. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to say hello in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) and offer some insights into the language itself.
About the Language
Bahasa Indonesia, the official language of Indonesia, is relatively easy to learn compared to tonal Asian languages such as Thai or Mandarin Chinese. It uses the 26-letter Latin alphabet, which is familiar to native English speakers, making it easier to pick up new words just by reading signs. The pronunciation of words in Bahasa Indonesia is generally straightforward, with vowels following simple and predictable guidelines:
- A – pronounced as "ah"
- E – pronounced as "uh"
- I – pronounced as "ee"
- O – pronounced as "oh"
- U – pronounced as "ew"
It's worth noting that many words in Indonesian were borrowed from Dutch during the period of Dutch colonization, while some English words, such as "amok," originated from Bahasa Indonesia. This linguistic exchange adds an interesting layer to the language.
Saying Hello in Indonesian
In Indonesian, greetings don't necessarily contain polite or formal variations as in some other Asian languages. Regardless of age, gender, or social status, the way to say hello in Indonesian is basically the same for all people. However, it is customary to offer your greeting to any elders present first, preferably without maintaining strong eye contact. Here are the common Indonesian greetings:
- Good Morning: Selamat pagi (sounds like: "suh-lah-mat pah-gee")
- Good Day: Selamat siang (sounds like: "suh-lah-mat see-ahng")
- Good Afternoon: Selamat sore (sounds like: "suh-lah-mat sor-ee")
- Good Evening: Selamat malam (sounds like: "suh-lah-mat mah-lahm")
It's important to note that there is some gray area in determining the appropriate greeting for the time of day, and regional variations may exist. For example, in formal situations, "selamat petang" is sometimes used for "good evening." Additionally, the timing of greetings may differ between regions. Here's a general guideline:
- Selamat Pagi: All morning until around 11 a.m. or noon
- Selamat Siang: Early day until around 4 p.m.
- Selamat Sore: From 4 p.m. until around 6 or 7 p.m. (depending on daylight)
- Selamat Malam: After sunset
In very informal settings, it is common to omit "selamat" at the beginning of greetings, similar to how English speakers sometimes say "morning" instead of "good morning" to friends.
Siang vs Sayang
A simple mispronunciation of one of the Indonesian greetings can lead to comical situations. When saying "selamat siang," be sure to pronounce the "I" in "siang" as "ee" rather than the long form of "ai." This is because the Indonesian word for honey or sweetheart is "sayang." Confusing "siang" and "sayang" might lead to some interesting reactions, so it's best to avoid calling your taxi driver a sweetheart!
Shaking Hands
In Indonesia, it is customary to shake hands when greeting someone. However, the handshake is more of a touch than a firm grip. Unlike in Western cultures, a firm grip and strong eye contact are not common in Indonesian handshakes. Squeezing someone's hand too hard could be misinterpreted as aggression. After shaking hands, it is customary to briefly touch your heart as a sign of respect. In some Hindu and Buddhist places in Indonesia, you may come across the wai hand gesture (palms together at the chest), which you can return if offered.
Asking How Someone Is Doing
To expand on your greeting and show further interest in someone, you can ask how they are doing in Bahasa Indonesia. The universal way to ask this is by saying "apa kabar," which means "how are you?" The literal translation is "what's new" or "what is the news?" The correct response to this question is "baik," which means "well" or "good." Sometimes, "baik" is repeated twice ("baik, baik"). However, if someone answers with "saya sakit," it means they are sick. It's always good to be aware of the context and respond accordingly.
Saying Goodbye
Just as knowing how to say hello is important, knowing how to say goodbye properly is equally essential. When bidding farewell to a stranger, you can use the following phrases:
- If you are the one leaving: Selamat tinggal (sounds like: "teen-gal")
- If you are the one staying: Selamat jalan (sounds like: "jal-lan")
"Tinggal" means to stay, while "jalan" means to go. If there's a chance or hope to meet again, you can use more endearing phrases:
- Sampai jumpa (sounds like: "sahm-pai joom-pah"): See you later
- Jumpa lagi (sounds like: "joom-pah log-ee"): See you again / meet again
Are Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia the Same?
Bahasa Malaysia, the language of Malaysia, shares many similarities with Bahasa Indonesia. People from the two countries can generally understand each other. However, there are also notable differences between the two languages. For example, in Malaysia, "selamat tengah hari" is used to say "good afternoon" instead of "selamat siang" or "selamat sore." Additionally, Malaysians are more likely to say "selamat petang" for "good evening." Another significant difference is the use of the words "bisa" and "boleh." In Malaysia, "boleh" means "can" or "able," while in Indonesia, "boleh" is often used pejoratively to refer to foreigners. The Indonesian word for "can" is "bisa," but Malaysians often use "bisa" to mean "poison."
Conclusion
Knowing how to say hello in Indonesian is a valuable skill that can enhance your travel experience and help you connect with the local culture. Bahasa Indonesia is a relatively easy language to learn, and its greetings are straightforward. By using the appropriate greetings and showing an interest in the language, you can make meaningful connections with the people you meet in Indonesia. So, selamat pagi, selamat siang, selamat sore, or selamat malam—whichever greeting is appropriate for the time of day—go out and explore the beautiful country of Indonesia with confidence!
