Language/Indonesian/Vocabulary/Greetings-and-Introductions

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Indonesian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Introductions

Welcome to the lesson on Greetings and Introductions in Indonesian! This topic is essential for anyone who wishes to engage with Indonesian speakers or immerse themselves in the rich culture of Indonesia. Knowing how to greet someone and introduce yourself is often the first step in building connections, whether in casual conversations or formal settings.

In this lesson, we will explore the various ways to say hello at different times of the day and how to introduce yourself in Indonesian. We’ll break down the vocabulary, provide plenty of examples, and offer exercises to ensure you can practice what you’ve learned. Are you ready? Let's dive into this exciting world of Indonesian language!

Why Greetings and Introductions Matter

Greeting someone is a universal act that transcends language barriers. It’s not just about exchanging words; it’s about showing respect, acknowledging presence, and setting a friendly tone for the interaction. In Indonesian culture, greetings can vary based on the time of day, the formality of the situation, and the relationship between the speakers. Mastering these nuances will allow you to engage more meaningfully with Indonesian speakers.

Key Vocabulary for Greetings

In Indonesian, greetings are often tied to the time of day. Here are the essential greetings you will learn:

• Selamat Pagi - Good Morning (used from dawn until around 11 AM)

• Selamat Siang - Good Afternoon (used from around 11 AM until 3 PM)

• Selamat Sore - Good Evening (used from around 3 PM until sunset)

• Selamat Malam - Good Night (used from sunset until bedtime)

Let's explore these greetings in detail!

Greetings by Time of Day

Selamat Pagi (Good Morning)

This greeting is used in the morning. It’s a warm way to start the day and is often used among friends, family, or colleagues.

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Selamat Pagi	səˈlamat ˈpaɡi	Good Morning

Selamat Siang (Good Afternoon)

As the day progresses, you can switch to "Selamat Siang." This greeting is appropriate to use from late morning until mid-afternoon.

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Selamat Siang	səˈlamat ˈsi.aŋ	Good Afternoon

Selamat Sore (Good Evening)

When the afternoon slips into evening, you can greet people with "Selamat Sore." It’s a lovely way to acknowledge the winding down of the day.

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Selamat Sore	səˈlamat ˈso.re	Good Evening

Selamat Malam (Good Night)

Finally, as the day comes to a close, you can say "Selamat Malam" when bidding goodnight. This greeting is often used when parting ways in the evening.

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Selamat Malam	səˈlamat ˈma.lam	Good Night

Cultural Insights

In Indonesia, greetings are not just formalities; they set the tone for the interaction. Here are a few cultural insights to keep in mind:

• Smile: A warm smile when greeting someone is very important in Indonesian culture.

• Politeness: Always use polite forms and show respect, especially to elders.

• Body Language: A slight bow with your head while greeting can be seen as respectful.

Introducing Yourself

Now that you know how to greet people at different times of the day, let’s move on to introductions. Here’s how to introduce yourself in Indonesian:

1. Nama saya [Your Name] - My name is [Your Name].

2. Saya berasal dari [Your Country] - I come from [Your Country].

3. Saya [Your Age] tahun - I am [Your Age] years old.

Here are examples of these phrases:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Nama saya John	ˈnama ˈsaja dʒon	My name is John
Saya berasal dari Amerika	ˈsaja bəˈrasal ˈdari aˈmɛrika	I come from America
Saya 25 tahun	ˈsaja 25 ˈta.un	I am 25 years old

Structuring Introductions

When introducing yourself, you can follow this simple structure:

• Greeting (e.g., Selamat Pagi)

• Your name

• Where you are from

• Your age (optional)

Here’s how it might look in a conversation:

• Selamat Pagi! Nama saya Lila. Saya berasal dari Indonesia. Saya 30 tahun. (Good Morning! My name is Lila. I come from Indonesia. I am 30 years old.)

Practice Exercises

Now, let’s put your new vocabulary to the test! Here are ten exercises to help you practice greetings and introductions.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate greeting based on the time of day.

1. __________ (Good Morning) – used in the morning.

2. __________ (Good Afternoon) – used around 11 AM to 3 PM.

3. __________ (Good Evening) – used from 3 PM until sunset.

4. __________ (Good Night) – used at night.

Exercise 2: Matching Greetings

Match the Indonesian greeting with its English translation.

1. Selamat Pagi

2. Selamat Siang

3. Selamat Sore

4. Selamat Malam

a. Good Afternoon

b. Good Morning

c. Good Night

d. Good Evening

Exercise 3: Create Your Introduction

Write your own introduction using the structure provided. Include your name, country, and age.

Exercise 4: Role Play

Pair up with a partner. One person greets the other using a time-appropriate greeting, and the other responds with their introduction.

Exercise 5: Listening Practice

Listen to a recording of someone greeting and introducing themselves in Indonesian. Write down what you hear.

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistakes

Read the following sentences and correct any mistakes:

1. Selamat sore! Nama saya Rina. Saya dari Jepang. Saya 20 tahun.

2. Selamat malam! Nama saya Ali. Saya 30 tahun dari Mesir.

Exercise 7: True or False

Determine whether the statements are true or false based on what you learned.

1. "Selamat Siang" is used in the morning.

2. "Selamat Pagi" means "Good Night."

Exercise 8: Group Discussion

In small groups, discuss the importance of greetings in your culture and how they differ from Indonesian culture.

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Quiz

Create a short quiz with 5 questions about the vocabulary learned in this lesson.

Exercise 10: Write a Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between two people meeting for the first time. Include greetings and introductions.

Solutions and Explanations

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Selamat Pagi

2. Selamat Siang

3. Selamat Sore

4. Selamat Malam

Exercise 2: Matching Greetings

1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

Exercise 3: Create Your Introduction

(Answers will vary. Check for correct vocabulary and structure.)

Exercise 4: Role Play

(Act out the greeting and introduction with your partner.)

Exercise 5: Listening Practice

(Answers will vary. Check for accurate transcription.)

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistakes

1. Correct: "Selamat sore! Nama saya Rina. Saya berasal dari Jepang. Saya 20 tahun."

2. Correct: "Selamat malam! Nama saya Ali. Saya 30 tahun dari Mesir."

Exercise 7: True or False

1. False

2. False

Exercise 8: Group Discussion

(Encourage sharing of cultural insights and experiences.)

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Quiz

(Answers will vary. Ensure questions cover learned vocabulary.)

Exercise 10: Write a Dialogue

(Review dialogues for correct use of greetings and introductions.)

Congratulations! You’ve completed the Greetings and Introductions lesson. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these phrases whenever you have the chance. Engaging with native speakers will help solidify your understanding and make your language journey all the more rewarding.

Table of Contents - Indonesian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pronouns and Greetings

• Personal Pronouns
• Greetings and Introductions

  ---

Basic Grammar

• Word Order
• Indonesian Nouns
• Verbs in Indonesian

  ---

Daily Life

• Basic Phrases
• Numbers and Time
• Days, Months, and Seasons

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Questions and Answers
• Negation and Affirmation

  ---

Indonesian Culture

• Indonesian Festivals
• Indonesian Food

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Transportation
• Directions

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Shopping and Bargaining

• Basic Shopping Phrases
• Bargaining Strategies

  ---

Indonesian Arts

• Indonesian Music
• Indonesian Dance

  ---

Modal Verbs

• Can and Must
• May and Should

  ---

Colors and Shapes

• Colors
• Shapes

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative
• Superlative

  ---

Indonesian Traditions

• Indonesian Weddings
• Indonesian Batik

  ---

Emergencies

• Medical Emergencies
• Natural Disasters

  ---

Indirect and Direct Speech

• Direct Speech
• Indirect Speech

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Job Titles
• Workplaces

  ---

Indonesian Holidays

• Indonesian Independence Day
• Idul Fitri

Sources

• Indonesian Introduction/Greetings | Indonesian Language Blog
• Self Introductions - Basic Greetings in Indonesian - IndonesianPod101
• Indonesian Greetings: How to Say Hello in Indonesia

Other Lessons

• Food
• Camping
• Parts of the Body
• Economics
• Dinner Table
• Environment
• Idiomatic Expressions
• Animals
• Family
• Birthday

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