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Phrases in Balinese Language You Must Learn!

Hello FlokqApril 19, 2022

A holiday in Bali is one way of “healing” that is often done by young people and adults since a few months ago. Many beaches and tourist attractions have begun to be crowded with the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists. Knick-knacks shops have also started to open and the streets have started to get jammed at some points, especially in tourism areas. Visiting Bali of course you will meet many Balinese people both in hotels and tourist attractions. One of the things that tourists need to prepare before traveling to Bali is to understand phrases in Balinese language that are often spoken by Balinese people. These phrases can help you to more closely understand the conversations around you and you may get cheaper goods prices if you can speak the Balinese language. Here are some expressions in Balinese that you must learn.

Also read : 7 Cozy Cigar Lounges in Bali, Must-visit!

Greetings

Greetings are of course the first words you hear when you meet someone. This phrase is very important to make it easier for you to greet other people so that they are easy to notice. Some greetings in Balinese are

• Om Swastyastu means greeting, this expression is very commonly used to greet or greet someone or a group.

• Rahajeng semeng means good morning, this expression is generally found when you meet other people in the morning until around 11/12 noon.

• Rahajeng tengai means good afternoon, this expression is generally found when you meet other people during the day around noon until late afternoon.

• Rahayu wengi means good evening, this expression is generally found when you meet other people during the day until around 6 pm until late at night.

Holidays Expression

Bali has many holidays which are celebrated during a certain period. This is very unique considering that the ceremonies in Bali are very unique and only carried out in Bali. There are several expressions that you will find if you visit Bali on certain holidays, such as:

• Rahajeng Nyanggra Rahina Galungan means Happy Galungan Day, this is a phrase that you usually find on billboards, social media posts, or posters in public places to welcome the Galungan holiday in Bali.

• Rahajeng Nyanggra Rahina Kuningan means Happy Kuningan Day, this is a phrase that you usually find on billboards, social media posts, or posters in public places to welcome the Kuningan holiday in Bali.

• Rahajeng Wanti Warsa means happy birthday, this is an expression to wish a happy birthday in Balinese to your friend or relative who is having a birthday.

• Rahajeng Warsa Anyar means happy new year, this is an expression to convey a happy new year for the turn of the Christian year as usual.

Introductory Expressions

Introduction phrases are very important to learn considering that you will often meet strangers who might get to know you when you visit Bali, from hotel staff, people who help you during your trip, or when you meet other people at an event. Some introductory phrases that you can use, such as:

• Wastan titiang means my name, this expression you can use when someone asks your name. An example is wastan titiang Putri which means my name is Putri.

• Titiang saking means I am from, you can use this expression when someone asks where you are from. An example is titiang saking Surabaya means I’m from Surabaya.

• Kenken kabare? (Punapi gatra?) means how are you, Balinese language contains rules of fine and coarse language, for the expression how are you, kenken kabare tends to be harsher than punapi gatra.

• Becik-becik means good, if you are asked to use the phrase punapi gatra or kenken cabare, you can answer with the word becik which means good.

Additional phrases

Apart from the basic expressions above, some additional phrases might help you when you meet Balinese people.

• Bli or Mbok, you can use this expression when greeting strangers, bli for men and mbok for women. Using the word bli or mbok is the same as using the word mas or mbak in Javanese. For example, you can greet someone with a Bli Made or Mbok Komang according to that person’s name.

• Numbas, meaning buy. You can use this word when you want to shop at a market or tourist spot. An example is the titiang pacang numbas nasi campur which means I want to buy mixed rice.

• Aji Kuda Niki? means how much does this cost? You can use this sentence when asking the price of the item you want to buy. If you want to bargain you can use the sentence ten dados tawah? Which means is it negotiable?

• Ten means no, this expression is usually used to say no to something or to refuse an invitation.

• Ring dija? (read ring dije?) means where? usually used to ask for a place.

• Niki means this, usually used to indicate objects that are quite close

• Nika (read nike) means that usually used to indicate distant objects

• Mangkin means now, used to say the current time.

• Mepamit means to go home, used to say goodbye or when leaving a holy place.

• Durung means not yet, it is used to say not yet.

• Ngajeng means to eat, and can be used to say you are eating or invite others to eat.

• Suksma (read suksme) means thank you, used to express gratitude.

• Suksma Mewali means thank you again, used to say you’re welcome.

Those are some expressions in Balinese language that you can learn while visiting Bali. It’s a good idea to learn some basic phrases and expressions used for shopping. This can be an advantage for you because you may be able to bargain for cheaper items.