Religion & Temples

1. Dima musajik nan paliang dakek?

   Where is the nearest mosque?

   Usage

   Used to find a mosque for prayer; a small prayer house is called a "surau"

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary translates Indonesian "masjid" as "musajik". It also lists "surau" for a small prayer house. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

2. Pukua bara wakatu sumbayang subuah?

   What time is the dawn prayer?

   Usage

   Asks staff at a mosque or lodging when the dawn prayer is

   Grammar Note

   "Subuah" means around dawn. "Sumbayang" is the native word for prayer, used here instead of "sholat". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

3. Makanan iko halal?

   Is this food halal?

   Usage

   Used by a traveller to check that food is halal

   Grammar Note

   West Sumatra is overwhelmingly Muslim, so ordinary restaurants are generally halal, but the question is still a useful check. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

4. Kini bulan puaso

   It is the fasting month now

   Usage

   Says it is Ramadan; in the daytime some eateries close and people avoid eating in public

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary explains "puaso" as the Islamic duty of abstaining from food and drink. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

5. Dima gareja Katolik di siko?

   Where is the Catholic church here?

   Usage

   For a Christian traveller looking for a church in a mostly Muslim region

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary translates Indonesian "gereja" as "gareja" and explains it as a Christian place of worship. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

6. Tolong jan ribuik di tampek ibadah

   Please keep quiet in the place of worship

   Usage

   Used to ask people to be quiet in a place of worship

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary explains "ribuik" as making a loud noise. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

7. Tolong lapehan aleh kaki sabalun masuak

   Please take off your footwear before entering

   Usage

   The rule at the door of a mosque or a house, usually heard by the shoe rack

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses "sandal" as "aleh kaki" (footwear). "Lapeh" means loose or released and has the derivative "malapehan" (to release); the suffix -kan corresponds to -an. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

8. Bilo upacara adaik ko diadoan?

   When is this traditional ceremony held?

   Usage

   Asks the date of a wedding or village ceremony you want to see

   Grammar Note

   In the dictionary "adaik" means rules or custom. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

9. Assalamualaikum

   Peace be upon you

   Usage

   The most common greeting in West Sumatra, said when entering a home or shop; the reply is "Waalaikumsalam"

   Grammar Note

   An Arabic Islamic greeting, not specific to Minangkabau

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