Om Swastiastu
Hello (Hindu greeting)
Usage
The Balinese Hindu greeting, usable at any time of day and seen on signs and gates; fine in formal and everyday settings. The reply is the same words.
Grammar Note
Fixed formula, no inflection. The dictionary headword is spelled Swastyastu, but signs and official use write Om Swastiastu.
Rahajeng semeng
Good morning
Usage
Morning greeting; the dictionary marks it as the same at every speech level.
Grammar Note
Rahajeng plus a time-of-day noun. The afternoon, evening and night versions are not dictionary entries, so do not build them by swapping nouns; use Om Swastiastu instead.
Matur suksma
Thank you very much
Usage
Polite thanks for shop staff, hosts and older people. Plain Suksma is fine in casual use.
Grammar Note
Matur is the humble verb for the speaker's own saying. This is not Javanese matur nuwun; never use nuwun.
Suksma
Thanks
Usage
Short thanks; the dictionary marks it as usable at every speech level. Say Matur suksma to be more polite.
Grammar Note
A stand-alone word of thanks; it does not inflect.
Nunas ampura
Excuse me / I am sorry
Usage
A polite way to pass in front of someone, get attention, or apologize.
Grammar Note
Literally 'I ask for pardon'. It is the speaker's own act, so the humble alus sor verb nunas is used.
Nggih, sareng-sareng
You're welcome
Usage
The reply to thanks, taken from the dictionary's own example.
Grammar Note
sareng-sareng means 'together' and serves as a 'likewise' reply.
Titiang mapamit dumun
I'll take my leave now
Usage
A polite way to say goodbye or to leave before others.
Grammar Note
mapamit is the humble verb for your own leaving. Never use it for the other person's leaving; a different honorific applies there.
Matur suksma, titiang mapamit dumun
Thank you, I'll be going now
Usage
A common way to thank someone and leave; it is two short sentences placed together.
Grammar Note
Built from verified words; the sentence itself is not in the dictionary.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
Om, peace, peace, peace, Om (closing words)
Usage
A Hindu closing formula that ends a speech or prayer opened with Om Swastiastu; for formal or ceremonial settings.
Grammar Note
A religious formula; not an everyday goodbye.
Wastan titiang ...
My name is ...
Usage
Used to introduce yourself; put your own name where the dots are.
Grammar Note
Use wastan for your own name. When asking someone else's name, a different word (pesengan) is used.
Ragane saking dija?
Where are you from?
Usage
A polite way to ask someone you have just met.
Grammar Note
Verbless order: you + from + where. Ragane is a polite 'you' that is safe with strangers.
Kakus ring dija?
Where is the toilet?
Usage
Asking where the toilet is. In practice the answer may come in Indonesian.
Grammar Note
ring marks location (alus mider). Kakus is a dictionary word; the sentence is built from verified words.
Titiang nenten uning mabasa Bali
I don't know how to speak Balinese
Usage
Tells people you cannot speak Balinese; they can then switch to Indonesian.
Grammar Note
nenten goes before the verb. mabasa Bali means 'to speak Balinese'. Built from verified words.
Titiang jagi mawali driki
I will come back here
Usage
Said when leaving to mean 'I will come back'. mawali is level-neutral and safe for yourself.
Grammar Note
jagi marks the future (alus mider). rauh is an honorific for the other person, so never use it for yourself.
Titiang seneng sajan
I enjoyed it very much
Usage
Tells your host you had a good time. sajan means 'really' in the dictionary.
Grammar Note
seneng is the alus mider 'glad'; the casual form is demen. The sentence is built from verified words.
More Balinese phrases
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