Greetings

1. Assalamualaikum

   Peace be upon you

   Usage

   The most common greeting in West Sumatra, used when entering a home or shop or meeting someone

   Grammar Note

   An Arabic Islamic greeting, not specific to Minangkabau; it is used far more than time-of-day greetings such as "salamaik pagi"

2. Waalaikumsalam

   And upon you be peace

   Usage

   The reply to "Assalamualaikum"

   Grammar Note

   A fixed reply of Arabic origin, not specific to Minangkabau; it is polite to answer a greeting with it

3. Salamaik datang

   Welcome

   Usage

   Said when welcoming someone to a home, shop or event

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary gives "salamaik" as "safe, escaped from danger"; the greeting "Salamaik datang" is a fixed phrase corresponding to Indonesian "Selamat datang" (selamat → salamaik)

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" (terima → tarimo).

5. Mokasi banyak yo

   Thanks a lot

   Usage

   A casual thank-you to friends and people you know well

   Grammar Note

   Use "Tarimo kasih" with elders

6. Samo-samo

   You are welcome

   Usage

   The reply when someone thanks you

   Grammar Note

   "Samo" means same; reduplicated it means "likewise". Corresponds to Indonesian "sama-sama"; its use as a reply to thanks is not listed in the dictionary. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

7. 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.

8. Iyo

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply

   Grammar Note

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

9. Indak

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; "ndak" in casual speech

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "tidak"; nouns are negated with "bukan"

10. Ambo mangarati

    I understand

    Usage

    Tells the other person that you understood

    Grammar Note

    Subject "ambo" + verb "mangarati". The dictionary glosses it "to think hard", but it is also used for "to understand". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

11. Ambo indak mangarati

    I do not understand

    Usage

    Said when you do not follow what was said

    Grammar Note

    The negator "indak" goes before the verb. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

12. Sanak bisa bahaso Inggirih?

    Can you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the other person can speak English

    Grammar Note

    A question keeps statement word order, with rising intonation. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

13. Namo ambo ...

    My name is ...

    Usage

    Used to introduce yourself; replace "..." with your name

    Grammar Note

    Word order is name + owner (the possessor follows the noun).

14. Baa kaba?

    How are you?

    Usage

    The standard way to ask how someone is; add a title such as "Uda", "Uni" or "Pak" after it when speaking to an older person

    Grammar Note

    Literally "what news?". The question word "baa" (Indonesian "bagaimana") comes first. Spell it "baa" as in the dictionary, with no apostrophe

15. Salamaik pagi

    Good morning

    Usage

    A morning greeting; in real conversation "Assalamualaikum" is used more often

    Grammar Note

    Modelled on Indonesian "selamat pagi"; it is less common than "Assalamualaikum". "Pagi" means sunrise to before midday. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

16. Salamaik malam

    Good evening / Good night

    Usage

    A greeting when meeting or parting at night

    Grammar Note

    Modelled on Indonesian "selamat malam"; it is less common than "Assalamualaikum". "Malam" means the time without sun. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

17. Salamaik tingga

    Goodbye (said by the one leaving)

    Usage

    A farewell said by the person who is leaving to those who stay

    Grammar Note

    Means "stay well, you who remain". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

18. Dima kamar mandi?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asks where the toilet is

    Grammar Note

    "Dima" asks for a place. "Kamar mandi" (bathing room) also covers the toilet. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

19. Ambo indak bisa mangecek bahaso Minang

    I cannot speak Minangkabau

    Usage

    Tells the other person you cannot speak Minangkabau, so they may switch to Indonesian or English

    Grammar Note

    "Bahaso Minang" means the Minangkabau language. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

20. Ambo ka datang baliak

    I will come back

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or lodging to say you plan to visit again

    Grammar Note

    "Ka" marks the future (it also means "to"). "Baliak" means to return, so "datang baliak" is "come back". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

21. Ambo sanang bana tadi

    I enjoyed it very much just now

    Usage

    Said after a meal or an outing to say you had a good time

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "sanang" as content and untroubled; "tadi" means a while ago. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

22. Ambo pai dulu, yo

    I will be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving a gathering before others

    Grammar Note

    "Pai" means to go or depart. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

23. Ambo alah baliak

    I am back

    Usage

    Said on getting back to your lodging or home

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "baliak" as going back to one's place or home; "alah" marks completion. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

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