Useful Expressions
Transcript: Silakan
English Word or Phrase: Please
version 1, used with a polite request
Transcript: Tolong
English Word or Phrase: Please
used to request help
Transcript: Terima Kasih
English Word or Phrase: Thank You
Transcript: Maaf
English Word or Phrase: Excuse Me
Transcript: Kembali
English Word or Phrase: You're Welcome
version 1, literally means "back" as in "back to you"
Transcript: Sama-sama
English Word or Phrase: You're Welcome
literally "same to you"
Transcript: ya
English Word or Phrase: yes
Transcript: iya
English Word or Phrase: yes
Transcript: tidak
English Word or Phrase: no
version 1, used to negate verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in order to answer no to the questions "Would you like a drink?" or "Are you hungry?"
Transcript: bukan
English Word or Phrase: no
version 2, to negate nouns, in order to answer no to the questions "Are you a teacher?" or "Is it a book?"
Transcript: Saya tidak berbicara bahasa Indonesia.
English Word or Phrase: I don't speak Indonesian.
Transcript: Bisa berbicara bahasa Inggris?
English Word or Phrase: Do you speak English?
Transcript: Saya kurang mengerti.
English Word or Phrase: I don't understand.
version 1, literally "I understand less" used more often than version 2 because it sounds more polite and indirect
Transcript: Saya tidak mengerti.
English Word or Phrase: I don't understand.
version 2, more direct and hence not quite as polite sounding as version 1
Transcript:
Saya kurang tahu.
English Word or Phrase:
I don't know.
"I know less" used as a polite way of indicating uncertainty about something, does not necessarily indicate that the person knows nothing about the question or subject, only that the person does not feel they know enough to give a complete answer
Transcript:
Saya tidak tahu.
English Word or Phrase:
I don't know.
version 2, a more direct way for a person to indicate they are unsure about something