Greetings

15 phrases · Balinese with romanization, English and audio

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

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