Basic Nouns

1. Aia

   Water

   Usage

   The word for water, as in "Tolong aia"

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "air" via the regular change of final -ir to -ia (air → aia)

2. Makanan

   Food

   Usage

   Refers to food in general

   Grammar Note

   The verb "makan" (eat) plus -an; it has the same form as Indonesian

3. Pitih

   Money

   Usage

   The word for money; Indonesian "uang" is not used

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary also lists an old copper coin, but today it means money

4. Kamar mandi

   Toilet / bathroom

   Usage

   The word to use when looking for a toilet: "Dima kamar mandi?"

   Grammar Note

   "Kamar mandi" (bathing room) also serves as the toilet

5. Tisu

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking for tissues or toilet paper

   Grammar Note

   A loanword listed in the dictionary, described as a thin paper used for wiping

6. Ubek

   Medicine

   Usage

   The word for asking for medicine at a pharmacy or lodging

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as something that lessens pain or restores health. It corresponds to Indonesian "obat" but the form differs

7. Kopor

   Suitcase

   Usage

   Refers to a large travel case

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as a portable box; it comes from Dutch "koffer"

8. Kunci

   Key

   Usage

   For asking about the key to a room

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as a tool for locking and unlocking; same form as Indonesian

9. Tiket

   Ticket

   Usage

   Refers to a travel or entry ticket

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; not a native Minangkabau word

10. Paspor

    Passport

    Usage

    Asked for at immigration and check-in

    Grammar Note

    A loanword; the dictionary has entries such as "paspor biometrik"

11. Telepon

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to a phone or mobile phone

    Grammar Note

    A loanword; "telepon genggam" means mobile phone

12. Stasiun

    Station

    Usage

    Refers to a railway or bus station

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as a place where trains stop and passengers board; it also appears in names such as the Padang station

13. Rumah sakik

    Hospital

    Usage

    For finding a hospital when someone is ill

    Grammar Note

    "Sakik" is Indonesian "sakit" with the final glottal stop written as k.

14. Polisi

    Police

    Usage

    For calling or finding the police in an emergency

    Grammar Note

    A loanword

15. Kadai

    Shop

    Usage

    Refers to a small shop or eatery; a coffee and snack stall is also called "lapau"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as a shop or stall, including those selling daily goods. Corresponds to Indonesian "kedai"

16. Biliak

    Room

    Usage

    Refers to a room in a lodging

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as a sleeping space inside a house, equivalent to "kamar". Corresponds to Indonesian "bilik"

17. Jalan

    Road

    Usage

    Refers to a road or street

    Grammar Note

    The same form as Indonesian "jalan"; it also means to walk

18. Kaluarga

    Family

    Usage

    Refers to family and relatives

    Grammar Note

    "Kaluargo" also occurs, but this set uses the spelling "kaluarga"

19. Namo

    Name

    Usage

    Used in "Namo ambo ..." to introduce yourself

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "nama" with the regular final a→o (nama → namo)

20. Kapalo

    Head

    Usage

    Names the body part when describing a headache or injury

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the part above the neck where hair grows. From "kepala" with the regular e→a and final a→o

21. Mato

    Eye

    Usage

    For describing eye trouble

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "mata" with final a→o (mata → mato)

22. Gigi

    Tooth

    Usage

    For describing a toothache

    Grammar Note

    Same form as Indonesian "gigi"

23. Paruik

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    For describing stomach trouble; "sakik paruik" is a stomach ache

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the body part below the chest. Corresponds to Indonesian "perut" (-ut → -uik)

24. Pungguang

    Back

    Usage

    For describing back pain

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "punggung" with the regular -ung → -uang; the dictionary gives this spelling

25. Pinggang

    Lower back / waist

    Usage

    For describing lower back or waist pain

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has entries such as "bakacak pinggang" (hands on hips); same form as Indonesian

26. Kaki

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    For describing leg or foot pain or injury

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary word with the same form as Indonesian

27. Tangan

    Hand

    Usage

    For describing a hand injury or pain

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as elbow to fingertips. Same form as Indonesian; the variant "tangen" is not used

28. Dado

    Chest

    Usage

    For describing chest pain

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the front between belly and neck, where the heart sits. Corresponds to Indonesian "dada" with final a→o

29. Lihia

    Neck

    Usage

    For describing a stiff or sore neck

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the part joining the head and the body. Corresponds to Indonesian "leher" but the form differs

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