Balikpapan

Common Phrases in Balikpapan, Indonesia

1. Greetings

• Selamat pagi - Good morning
• Selamat siang - Good afternoon
• Selamat sore - Good evening
• Selamat malam - Good night
• Apa kabar? - How are you?
• Baik, terima kasih. - I’m fine, thank you.

Cultural Context: Greetings are important in Indonesian culture. A smile and a polite tone enhance the interaction.

2. Directions

• Di mana…? - Where is…?
  • Example: Di mana pasar? - Where is the market?
• Belok kiri - Turn left
• Belok kanan - Turn right
• Lurus - Straight ahead
• Dekat - Near
• Jauh - Far

Local Considerations: Many locals may not speak English fluently, so using simple phrases and gestures can be helpful.

3. Shopping

• Berapa harganya? - How much is this?
• Tawar menawar - Bargaining (common in markets)
• Saya mau beli ini. - I want to buy this.
• Bisa kurang? - Can you lower the price?

Cultural Context: Bargaining is expected in traditional markets. Start with a lower offer and negotiate respectfully.

4. Dining

• Saya mau pesan… - I would like to order…
• Apa rekomendasi Anda? - What do you recommend?
• Tolong, saya alergi… - Please, I am allergic to…
• Terima kasih, itu enak! - Thank you, that was delicious!

Local Considerations: Tipping is not customary but appreciated. Check if service charges are included in the bill.

5. Cultural Etiquette

• Permisi - Excuse me
• Maaf - Sorry
• Terima kasih - Thank you
• Sama-sama - You’re welcome
• Selamat datang - Welcome

Cultural Context: Politeness is highly valued. Use “maaf” when interrupting or making a mistake. Always greet people with a smile.

6. Additional Useful Phrases

• Saya tidak mengerti. - I don’t understand.
• Bisa bicara pelan-pelan? - Can you speak slowly?
• Tolong bantu saya. - Please help me.
• Saya dari… - I am from…

Local Considerations: Learning a few phrases in Bahasa Indonesia can greatly enhance your interactions and show respect for the local culture.

Conclusion

Using these common phrases will help you navigate daily interactions in Balikpapan. Emphasize politeness and be open to learning from locals, as this fosters goodwill and enriches your experience.