How Are You? A Relaxing Guide to Indonesian Greetings

admin 3 Maret 2023pendidikan90 Views

Indonesia is a country that values hospitality and friendliness, and one of the best ways to show these virtues is by greeting someone. Greeting in Indonesia is not just a formality, but it is a way of showing respect and establishing a connection with others. One of the most common greetings in Indonesia is “how are you?”. In this article, we will explore the relaxed Indonesian language and provide you with a guide to using “how are you?” in various situations.

Understanding “How Are You?” in Indonesian

The Indonesian language has several ways of greeting people, depending on the person’s age, status, and relationship to the speaker. However, the most common way of greeting someone is by using “apa kabar?” or “bagaimana kabarmu?”. These phrases translate to “how are you?” in English. The word “kabar” means news or information, and in this context, it refers to how the person is feeling or doing.

Indonesians use this phrase not only as a greeting but also as an expression of concern and interest in the other person. It is a way of acknowledging the other person’s well-being and showing that you care about them.

Using “How Are You?” in Casual Conversations

If you are meeting someone casually, such as a friend or a colleague, you can use “apa kabar?” or “bagaimana kabarmu?” to greet them. These phrases are informal and can be used in any situation where you want to show interest in the other person’s well-being. You can also use these phrases to start a conversation and to break the ice.

When someone asks you “apa kabar?” or “bagaimana kabarmu?”, you can respond by saying “baik-baik saja” or “saya baik-baik saja”. These phrases mean “I’m doing fine” or “I’m okay”. If you want to ask the person how they are doing, you can say “dan kamu?” or “bagaimana denganmu?” which means “and you?” or “how about you?”.

Using “How Are You?” in Formal Settings

If you are meeting someone in a formal setting, such as a business meeting or a job interview, you can use “apa kabar?” or “bagaimana kabar Bapak/Ibu?” to greet them. These phrases are more formal and show respect for the other person’s position and status. You can also use these phrases to establish a professional relationship with the other person.

When responding to these greetings, you should use more formal language, such as “saya baik-baik saja, terima kasih” which means “I’m doing fine, thank you”. You can also use “baik-baik saja, terima kasih atas perhatian Bapak/Ibu” which means “I’m doing fine, thank you for your concern, sir/ma’am”.

Other Ways of Greeting in Indonesian

Aside from “apa kabar?” and “bagaimana kabarmu?”, there are other ways of greeting in Indonesian. Here are some examples:

“selamat pagi” – good morning
“selamat siang” – good afternoon
“selamat malam” – good evening/night
“assalamualaikum” – peace be upon you (Muslim greeting)
“salam sejahtera” – best wishes (formal greeting)

Using these greetings can help you establish a connection with the other person and show that you respect their culture and customs.

Conclusion

In Indonesia, greeting someone is a way of showing respect, friendliness, and hospitality. “Apa kabar?” and “bagaimana kabarmu?” are two of the most common ways of greeting someone in Indonesian, and they can be used in casual and formal settings. By using these greetings and other phrases, you can establish a connection with the other person and show that you care about their well-being.