Surabaya

Common Phrases in Surabaya, Indonesia

1. Greetings

• Selamat pagi (Good morning)

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

• 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 late afternoon to early evening.

• Selamat malam (Good night)

  • Pronunciation: suh-lah-maht mah-lahm
  • Cultural Context: Used in the evening, often when parting ways.

• Apa kabar? (How are you?)

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

2. Transportation

• Di mana...? (Where is...?)

  • Pronunciation: dee mah-nah
  • Cultural Context: Useful for asking directions. Follow with the destination (e.g., "Di mana stasiun?" - Where is the station?).

• Tolong panggil taksi (Please call a taxi)

  • Pronunciation: toh-long pahng-geel tahk-see
  • Cultural Context: Helpful when needing transportation.

• Berapa ongkosnya? (How much is the fare?)

  • Pronunciation: beh-rah-pah ohng-kohs-nya
  • Cultural Context: Important for negotiating taxi fares or public transport costs.

3. Dining

• Saya mau pesan... (I would like to order...)

  • Pronunciation: sah-yah mau peh-sahn
  • Cultural Context: Use this phrase to order food. Follow with the dish name.

• Enak sekali! (Very delicious!)

  • Pronunciation: eh-nahk seh-kah-lee
  • Cultural Context: Complimenting food is appreciated and encourages good rapport.

• Bisa minta menu? (Can I have the menu?)

  • Pronunciation: bee-sah meen-tah meh-noo
  • Cultural Context: Useful when dining out.

4. 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 hanya melihat (I’m just looking)

  • Pronunciation: sah-yah han-yah meh-lih-haht
  • Cultural Context: Polite way to indicate you’re browsing without intent to buy.

5. General Phrases

• Terima kasih (Thank you)

  • Pronunciation: tuh-ree-mah kah-see
  • Cultural Context: Always express gratitude; it’s highly valued.

• Maaf (Sorry/Excuse me)

  • Pronunciation: mah-ahf
  • Cultural Context: Use when bumping into someone or needing to interrupt.

• Ya (Yes) / Tidak (No)

  • Pronunciation: yah / tee-dahk
  • Cultural Context: Basic affirmations and negations.

Additional Considerations

• Politeness: Use polite language and gestures, such as a slight bow or nod when greeting.
• Body Language: Maintain a friendly demeanor; smiles are important in communication.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of local customs, such as removing shoes when entering homes or certain establishments.

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with these phrases will enhance your interactions in Surabaya. Practice pronunciation and use these phrases in context to build rapport with locals.