Makassar

Common Phrases in Makassar, Indonesia

1. Greetings

• Selamat pagi (Good morning)

  • Pronunciation: suh-lah-maht pah-gee
  • Cultural Context: Used in the morning until around noon. A polite way to start a conversation.

• Selamat siang (Good afternoon)

  • Pronunciation: suh-lah-maht see-ahng
  • Cultural Context: Used from noon until late afternoon.

• Selamat sore (Good evening)

  • Pronunciation: suh-lah-maht soh-reh
  • Cultural Context: Used in the evening until night.

• Apa kabar? (How are you?)

  • Pronunciation: ah-pah kah-bar
  • Cultural Context: A common way to inquire about someone's well-being.

2. Directions

• Di mana...? (Where is...?)

  • Pronunciation: dee mah-nah
  • Cultural Context: Useful for asking directions. Follow with the place name.

• Belok kiri (Turn left)

  • Pronunciation: beh-lok kee-ree
  • Cultural Context: Essential for navigating streets.

• Belok kanan (Turn right)

  • Pronunciation: beh-lok kah-nahn
  • Cultural Context: Also important for giving or receiving directions.

• Lurus terus (Go straight)

  • Pronunciation: loo-roos tuh-roos
  • Cultural Context: Indicates to continue straight ahead.

3. Shopping

• Berapa harganya? (How much does it cost?)

  • Pronunciation: beh-rah-pah har-gah-nya
  • Cultural Context: Essential for negotiating prices in markets.

• Bisa kurang? (Can you lower the price?)

  • Pronunciation: bee-sah koo-rahng
  • Cultural Context: Commonly used in bargaining situations.

• Saya mau ini (I want this)

  • Pronunciation: sah-yah mau ee-nee
  • Cultural Context: Useful when indicating a specific item.

4. Dining

• Makan di sini? (Eat here?)

  • Pronunciation: mah-kahn dee see-nee
  • Cultural Context: Used to ask if you can eat at the restaurant.

• Saya vegetarian (I am vegetarian)

  • Pronunciation: sah-yah veh-geh-tah-ree-ahn
  • Cultural Context: Important for dietary preferences.

• Enak sekali! (Very delicious!)

  • Pronunciation: eh-nahk seh-kah-lee
  • Cultural Context: A compliment to the chef or server.

Tips for Using Phrases Effectively

• Politeness: Always use polite language and a friendly tone. Indonesians appreciate respect and friendliness.
• Body Language: Non-verbal cues, such as smiling and nodding, enhance communication.
• Local Dialect: Makassar has its own dialect (Bahasa Makassar). While Indonesian is widely understood, using local phrases can foster goodwill.
• Practice: Rehearse phrases before using them to build confidence.

Local Considerations

• Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of local customs, such as removing shoes when entering homes or certain establishments.
• Time of Day: Greetings change based on the time of day; using the correct greeting shows cultural awareness.
• Bargaining: In markets, haggling is expected. Start lower than your target price and negotiate respectfully.

This guide provides essential phrases and cultural insights to help navigate daily interactions in Makassar effectively.