Basic Words

1. Iyo

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; "Yo" is a more casual variant

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "ya"; Minangkabau says "iyo"

2. Indak

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; in casual speech it shortens to "ndak"

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "tidak"; it negates verbs and adjectives, while nouns take "bukan"

3. Tolong

   Please / Help

   Usage

   A polite word placed before a request; said alone it can also mean "help"

   Grammar Note

   Same form as Indonesian. Used as "Tolong ..." to ask for help or a favour

4. Tarimo kasih

   Thank you

   Usage

   The standard way to say thank you; "Tarimo kasih banyak" means "thank you very much"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "receive kindness"; corresponds to Indonesian "terima kasih" with the regular final a→o and e→a (terima → tarimo)

5. Maaf bana yo

   I am very sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologise, for example after bumping into someone or arriving late

   Grammar Note

   "Maaf" is of Arabic origin and has the same form as Indonesian; "bana" means very and "yo" is a softening particle.

6. Ambo indak mangarati

   I do not understand

   Usage

   Said when you do not follow what was said; "ambo" is the polite "I"

   Grammar Note

   "Mangarati" is ma- + arati; in speech it shortens to "ngarati". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

7. Ambo mangarati

   I understand

   Usage

   Tells the other person that you understood

   Grammar Note

   Subject "ambo" + verb "mangarati"; the negative inserts "indak" between them. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

8. Alah salasai

   It is finished

   Usage

   Said when a task, meal or procedure is done

   Grammar Note

   "Alah" marks completed action (Indonesian "sudah"); the dictionary glosses "salasai" as "already done"

9. Tolong tunggu sabanta

   Please wait a moment

   Usage

   A polite way to ask someone to wait

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary gives "sabanta" as "short, not long" with the example "tunggu lah sabanta"; "tolong" is added for politeness. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

10. Sabanta yo

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A casual way to say you need a moment or will be right back

    Grammar Note

    Built on the "sa-" (one) pattern; the dictionary glosses it "short, not long". "Yo" is a softening particle. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

11. Tolong bantu ambo

    Please help me

    Usage

    Asks for help when you are in difficulty

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "bantu" as "tolong" (help). "Ambo" stands in object position. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

12. Tolong ulang baliak

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks someone to repeat what they said

    Grammar Note

    Uses "ulang baliak" from the dictionary example "cubo ulang baliak mambaconyo" (try reading it again). This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

13. Tolong mangecek lambek-lambek

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks the other person to slow down when you cannot follow

    Grammar Note

    "Mangecek" is to speak and "lambek" is slow; reduplicating the adjective gives an adverb-like "slowly". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

14. Ambo bisa saketek

    I can speak a little

    Usage

    Said when you can speak only a little of a language; add the language name if needed

    Grammar Note

    "Bisa" means can, and "saketek" a little. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

15. Sanak bisa bahaso Inggirih?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the other person speaks English; "sanak" is a friendly address that is safe with strangers

    Grammar Note

    "Bahaso" is Indonesian "bahasa" with final a→o. A question keeps statement word order, with rising intonation. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

16. Iko

    This

    Usage

    Said while pointing at something near you; it can be shortened to "ko"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as a word pointing to something near the speaker. It corresponds to Indonesian "ini"

17. Tu

    That

    Usage

    Said while pointing at something a little farther away

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "itu".

18. Di siko

    Here

    Usage

    Indicates the place where you are, as in "it is here" or "put it here"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "siko" as the place of "iko" (this).

19. Di sinan

    Over there

    Usage

    Points to a place away from both speaker and listener

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "sinan" as a place far from the speaker; it corresponds to Indonesian "di sana". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

20. Ambo

    I / me (polite)

    Usage

    The polite word for "I" when speaking to strangers or elders

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the speaker or writer in formal, respectful speech. Casual alternatives are "awak" and "den"; "awak" also means body

21. Sanak

    You (friendly address)

    Usage

    An address term safe with people whose names you do not know; used in place of "you"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as an address for relatives or friends. Safe when you do not know the title to use; avoid "ang" and "kau" with elders

22. Basamo

    Together

    Usage

    Added to a verb to mean "together", as in going or eating together

    Grammar Note

    Formed as ba- + samo (same); corresponds to Indonesian "bersama"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages