How to Greet People in Indonesia: 10 Steps

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How to Greet People in Indonesia: 10 Steps
How to Greet People in Indonesia: 10 Steps
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Okay, you are in Indonesia, a country located below the equator in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is famous for its fabulous spices, exotic jungles and smiling, warm people, just like their tropical climate. While many Indonesians can speak English, you can always impress them by greeting them in Bahasa Indonesia, their native language.

Steps

Greet People in Indonesia Step 1
Greet People in Indonesia Step 1

Step 1. As for greetings, you can always say 'Hi' or 'Hello'

In non-formal situations you can use 'Apa Kabar?' (How are you?). In a more formal context, you can use 'Selamat Pagi' to say good morning, 'Selamat Siang' for good afternoon, 'Selamat Sore' for good evening, and 'Selamat Malam' for good night. Selamat malam is not used if you want to go to sleep.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 2
Greet People in Indonesia Step 2

Step 2. The 'e' in 'Selamat' is not pronounced

For a correct pronunciation just say 'slamat'. It is also correct to omit 'selamat' and simply say 'pagi', similarly to Italian, where good morning can be shortened to 'day.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 3
Greet People in Indonesia Step 3

Step 3. If you greet a person by saying 'Apa Kabar?

'(' How's it going? '), This will probably answer' Baik-baik saja 'or' Kabar baik 'which means' Well, thank you.'

Greet People in Indonesia Step 4
Greet People in Indonesia Step 4

Step 4. Bahasa Indonesia is generally read and pronounced phonetically, just like Italian

Say it as you read it. If you say something wrong people won't laugh at you. Keep talking normally and sooner or later you will come to the right pronunciation.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 5
Greet People in Indonesia Step 5

Step 5. In formal situations, use the courtesy forms 'Mas' or 'Pak' or 'Bu' or 'Mba' (written embak) before a person's name

'Mas' (sir or brother) is a friendly term for men; 'Pak' is for important men; 'Bu' is for married women; 'MBA' is for young single women. Ex: Mas Bayu (young boy); Pak Mulyawan (male, formal); Bu Kartini (married woman); Mba Elita (Miss Elita). Although for married women the form 'Ibu' generally does not change, you may hear 'Bapak' (father) when a young person talks to an older man or in a higher position. Ex: A middle-aged person named Djoko can be referred to as 'Bapak Djoko.'

The K and NG are the only two more complicated sounds of Bahasa Indonesia. The first has two functions: sometimes it is like the K in the Italian (or English) language, while others (like in Pak) indicates a "glottal stop": a glottal stop is the opposite of a sound like ahhhhhh, like if you intentionally blocked the air in your throat at the end of a syllable. It looks like uh in uh-oh! The NG combination, on the other hand, produces a "nasal veil" sound, as if the nose were cold. That said, Indonesians won't pay too much attention to it until you learn their language better

Greet People in Indonesia Step 6
Greet People in Indonesia Step 6

Step 6. The Indonesian way of calling oneself does not always use surnames

If a person is called 'Arif Perdana,' it does not mean that his surname is Perdana. This person can be referred to simply as 'Pak Arif'. The middle name and surname are not always assigned.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 7
Greet People in Indonesia Step 7

Step 7. Don't be angry if an Indonesian you barely know calls you by name

Indonesians use names in everyday life, with anyone they meet. The only exceptions are married women, nobles and the royal family.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 8
Greet People in Indonesia Step 8

Step 8. Married women can take their husband's name, but in their own way

When you talk to a married woman, call her by the name she introduced herself by. Don't forget to add 'Bu / Ibu' before the name.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 9
Greet People in Indonesia Step 9

Step 9. If you get stuck or don't know what to say, speak English

Indonesians are very intuitive and can understand what you are trying to communicate.

Greet People in Indonesia Step 10
Greet People in Indonesia Step 10

Step 10. Smile when you speak

Indonesians are an open and friendly people. Smiling will go a long way in social interactions. A small bow / nod is a common practice, which does not indicate subordination, but is a gesture of courtesy. Westerners shouldn't be bothered by it.

Advice

  • Search the internet for an Indonesian and ask him / her to teach you something. Or search for an Indonesian writer on WikiHow. They will be happy to help you.
  • You can consult Google Translate to see how certain Indonesian words are said. If you choose Italian and Indonesian and write "how are you?", The result will be "Apa Kabar?". Below the result is a speaker icon: if you click it you will be able to hear the pronunciation of that word or phrase.
  • If you want, take a small dictionary with you, even an electronic one.

  • Learn Bahasa Indonesia Online (English Sites):

    • https://www.learningindonesian.com
    • https://www.bahasa.net/online
    • https://www.wannalearn.com/Academic_Subjects/World_Languages/Indonesian
    • Or look for other sites, even in Italian, on Google.

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