Basic Words

1. Inggih

   Yes

   Usage

   Polite 'yes' for elders and people you have just met.

   Grammar Note

   Marked alus mider in the dictionary; the slightly more relaxed Nggih (alus madya) is also very common.

2. Nggih

   Yes

   Usage

   The everyday polite 'yes', also used with elders and superiors.

   Grammar Note

   An alus madya word. More formal is Inggih; the casual form is Nah (andap).

3. Nenten

   No

   Usage

   Polite 'no' or 'not'. Use this rather than Sing or Tusing with people you do not know.

   Grammar Note

   A negator placed before a verb or adjective. The short form Ten is also used.

4. Sing

   No (casual)

   Usage

   Casual 'no' with friends and family. With people you do not know, use Nenten.

   Grammar Note

   The andap negator, also Tusing. Not related to Javanese sing (who/which).

5. Durusang

   Please, go ahead

   Usage

   Used to invite someone or let them go first. The dictionary glosses it as 'silahkan' (please).

   Grammar Note

   It invites the other person to act; it is not 'please' in the sense of asking a favor. For favors, use something like Tulungin titiang.

6. Ampura

   Sorry

   Usage

   A word of apology; the dictionary marks it as the same at every speech level.

   Grammar Note

   For a more polite form, say Nunas ampura. A related form is sinampura (to forgive).

7. Sing kenken

   It's okay / No problem

   Usage

   A casual 'it's okay' among friends; less suitable with elders.

   Grammar Note

   Literally 'it is nothing special'. Both words are in the dictionary; the pairing is built from verified words.

8. Titiang nenten uning

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Tells someone you do not understand.

   Grammar Note

   uning covers 'know' through 'understand' (alus mider). Because it is about yourself, do not swap in a singgih honorific.

9. Titiang uning

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood an explanation.

   Grammar Note

   The previous sentence without nenten.

10. Sampun puput

    It is finished

    Usage

    Says that a task, meal or similar is finished.

    Grammar Note

    sampun marks completion (alus mider; casual form suba). puput means 'finished' in the dictionary.

11. Sampun

    Already

    Usage

    Means 'already'; on its own it can answer 'is it done?'.

    Grammar Note

    The opposite is Durung (not yet). Casual forms are suba and tonden.

12. Durung

    Not yet

    Usage

    Says that something has not happened yet.

    Grammar Note

    Listed as alus mider 'not yet'; the casual form is tonden. There is also dereng (alus madya).

13. Antos dumun, nggih

    Please wait a moment

    Usage

    A polite request for someone to wait a moment.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Antosang. Sentence-final nggih softens the request, like 'okay?'.

14. Tulungin titiang

    Please help me

    Usage

    The basic way to ask for help. The dictionary glosses tulungin as 'please help'. In an emergency, just Tulung! works.

    Grammar Note

    The suffix -in forms the request. titiang is the person being helped.

15. Mabaos alon-alon, nggih

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks someone to slow down when they speak too fast.

    Grammar Note

    mabaos honors the other person's speech, so use it only for them and never for yourself. For your own speech use matur or mabasa.

16. Titiang uning mabasa Bali akidik

    I speak a little Balinese

    Usage

    Tells people you can speak a little Balinese.

    Grammar Note

    akidik is the andap 'a little'. The sentence is built from verified words; it is not itself in the dictionary.

17. Ragane mabaos basa Inggris?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the other person speaks English. In tourist areas Indonesian or English is usually used.

    Grammar Note

    Use the honorific mabaos for the other person's speech. The question is marked by intonation alone.

18. Puniki

    This

    Usage

    Points to something near you: 'this'.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Ene; alus madya is Niki.

19. Punika

    That

    Usage

    Points to something near the listener or already mentioned: 'that'.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Ento; alus madya is Nika.

20. Driki

    Here

    Usage

    Means 'here', the place where you are.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Dini.

21. Drika

    There

    Usage

    Means 'there', a place away from you.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Ditu.

22. Titiang

    I / me

    Usage

    The polite, humble 'I' to use with strangers and elders.

    Grammar Note

    Tiang (alus madya) is also common. Cang and Icang are casual; avoid them with strangers.

23. Ragane

    You

    Usage

    A polite 'you' safe with people you have just met. Calling them Bapa, Ibu or Jero is also fine.

    Grammar Note

    Cai, Nyai and Iba are rude; never use them with strangers.

24. Jero

    Excuse me, sir or madam (address)

    Usage

    A title for someone respected or someone you do not know, per the dictionary.

    Grammar Note

    Used before a name or on its own. Do not guess caste-bound titles like Ida Bagus.

25. Sareng-sareng

    Together

    Usage

    Means 'together'; also used as a reply to thanks.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is bareng-bareng.

26. Wenten

    There is

    Usage

    Says that something exists or someone is present; also used to ask if a shop has an item.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Ada. Negate with nenten placed before it: Nenten wenten.

27. Nenten wenten

    There isn't any

    Usage

    Says that something is not available or someone is not there.

    Grammar Note

    nenten + wenten. The casual form is Sing ada.

28. Sampunang

    Please don't

    Usage

    A polite way to say 'don't'.

    Grammar Note

    Placed before a verb. The casual form is Eda.

29. Becik

    Good / fine

    Usage

    A polite word for 'good' or 'that works for me'.

    Grammar Note

    The casual form is Luung.

30. Nenten, suksma

    No, thank you

    Usage

    A polite way to refuse an offer or sales pitch.

    Grammar Note

    Two words placed together as a short refusal.

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