Indonesian language
Most spoken languages in Malang are Indonesian language (bahasa Indonesia) and Javanese (bahasa Jawa). But Indonesian is the official language in Indonesia.
There are hundreds of regional languages/dialects or bahasa daerah. All schools in Indonesia must put Indonesian in their curriculum. So people from different regions in Indonesia can communicate with each other using the Indonesian.
The regional language in Malang is Javanese. Although my Javanese is limited (I wish I could more) I can communicate with the people well. Thanks to the Indonesian as lingua franca. There were just some times that I met people who only speak Javanese. They are mostly old people and are living in a village where everyone speaks Javanese.
Bahasa means language. You tend to translate bahasa Indonesia as Indonesian language. I often hear foreigners saying “I don’t speak bahasa”. It’s not correct because everyone speaks a language, right? You should say “I don’t speak Indonesian” or “I don’t speak bahasa Indonesia”.
Here
I won’t give you the whole Indonesian language lesson; just a short introduction, some words
and (simple) sentences you’d use often during your stay in Malang. However I’ll
put more words once in a while, so check this page regularly.
Salam / Greetings
Selamat = Congratulation
Selamat pagi = Good morning
Selamat siang = Good afternoon
Selamat malam = Good evening
Selamat makan = Have a good meal
Selamat datang = Welcome
Selamat jalan = Have a good trip
Selamat tinggal = Good bye
Sampai ketemu lagi = See you (later)
Apa kabar = How are you
Terima kasih = Thank you
Sama-sama/terima kasih kembali = You are welcome
Permisi = Excuse me
Perkenalan / introduction
Nama saya … = My name is …
Saya datang dari... = I come from….
Expression
Enak = good (for food), yummy, delicious
Enak sekali = very good.
In a restaurant
Saya mau pesan tempat untuk dua orang = I want to reserve a table for two persons.
Saya mau pesan = I want to order
Saya tidak mau makanan yang pedas = I don’t want spicy food
Tanpa cabe = without chili
Tanpa gula = without sugar (for coffee or tea)
Saya mau bayar = Can I have the bill?
Di Pasar /In a traditional market
Berapa harganya? = What
does it cost?
Bisa kurang? = Could it be less? (to bargain)
In Indonesian grammar there are no differences in verb for single or plural subjects or in present, past and future tenses.
Example: I am reading = Saya baca
I read it = Saya baca
I have read it = Sudah saya baca.
You see that the verb baca (to read) is not changed. If an activity/action has happened then you usual use the word sudah that means already.
I can imagine that you would think that Indonesian is easy to learn, especially if the grammar of your native language has different tenses. It seems easy but it can be confusing as well. To understand it well you have to see the context. But this is not a big problem. On the contrary… it is a challenge, a nice side of learning other language, right?
People in Malang/Indonesia will be happy if they know that you, as a foreigner, speak Indonesian. They will be glad to assist you. I know that learning a new language requires lots of time. But it would be helpful and nice if you know basic grammar of the language of the place to go for holiday. So to help you learning basic things and more Indonesian words you can use this Tuttle Pocket Indonesian Dictionary: Indonesian-English English-Indonesian
, a handy one.
UPDATE August 2013
Indonesian
language is formed by influences of other languages, not only Indonesian regional languages but also from other countries. Here below you see words that are
thought originally from Portuguese and Dutch.
Portuguese
| Bahasa Indonesia | Portuguese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bangku | Banco | Bench |
| Bendera | Bandeira | Flag |
| Biola | Viola | Violin |
| Bola | Bola | Ball |
| Boneka | Boneca | Doll |
| Dadu | Dado | Dice |
| Dansa | dança | Dance |
| Garpu | Garfo | Fork |
| Gereja | Igreja | Church |
| Jendela | Janela | Window |
| Keju | Queijo | Cheese |
| Meja | Mesa | Table |
| Kemeja | Camisa | Men shirt |
| Mentega | Manteiga | Butter |
| Sekolah | Escola | School |
| (Hari) Minggu | Dominggo | Sunday |
| Sabtu | Sabado | Saturday |
| Kertas | Carta(s) | Paper |
| Natal | Natal | Christmas |
| Nina (Nina bobo) | Menina | Little girl |
| Nona | Dona | Miss |
| Nyonya | Donha | Mrs |
| Pesta | Festa | Party |
| Sabun | Sabã0 | Soap |
| Sepatu | Sapato | Shoes |
| Serdadu | Soldado | Soldier |
| Sinyo | Senhor | Young men |
| Terigu | Trigo | Wheat Flour |
| Tinta | Tinta | Ink |
Dutch
| Bahasa Indonesia | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|
| Asbak | Asbak | Ashtray |
| Balkon | Balkon | Balcony |
| Bangkrut | Bankroet | Bankrupt |
| Gorden | Gordijn | Curtain |
| Handuk | Handdoek | Towel |
| Kado | Kado/cadeau | Present/gift |
| Kamar | Kamer | Room |
| Kulkas | Koelkast | Refrigerator |
| Om | Oom | Uncle |
| Oma | Oma | Grand Ma |
| Opa | Opa | Grand Pa |
| Onderdil | Onderdeel | Part |
| Rok | Rok | Skirt |
| Tante | Tante | Aunt |
| Wastafel | Wastafel | Sink |
| WC | WC | Toilet |
Are you interested in learning Indonesian language? Do you want to learn it from a native speaker? Do you want to practice your Indonesian? Do you want to have more Indonesian conversation? Fill the form below to get more information or to ask questions.
Special for readers from Holland
Ik geef Indonesische les voor mensen in de buurt van Utrecht, Gorinchem, Leerdam, Geldermalsen en de omgeving. Voor meer informatie of andere vragen kunt u contact met mij opnemen via de contact form hieronder.
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