Phrases › Minangkabau
Phrases
In Minangkabau, hello is Assalamualaikum and thank you is Tarimo kasih (ta-REE-mo KA-sih). Here are 19 everyday Minangkabau phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Minangkabau · How to say thank you in Minangkabau · How to say goodbye in Minangkabau · How to say please in Minangkabau · How to say sorry in Minangkabau
| English | Minangkabau | Say It Like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Assalamualaikum the common Islamic greeting used widely in Minangkabau; a casual alternative is Apo kaba? ("what's the news", used like "hi, how are you") | |
| Goodbye | Sampai basuo pulo "until we meet again" | SAM-pai ba-SU-o PU-lo |
| Please | Tolong | |
| Thank you | Tarimo kasih | ta-REE-mo KA-sih |
| Yes | Iyo | EE-yo |
| No | Indak often shortened to ndak in fast speech | IN-dak |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Maaf | |
| Do you speak English? | Apak bisa bahaso Inggirih? Apak = polite "you" for a man; to a woman say Ibuk instead of Apak | |
| I don't understand | Ambo indak mangarati | AM-bo IN-dak ma-nga-RA-ti |
| Please speak slowly | Tolong bicaro lambek-lambek | |
| How much is it? | Barapo ko? | ba-RA-po ko |
| Where is the bathroom? | Dima kamar mandi? | DEE-ma KA-mar MAN-di |
| I'd like this, please | Ambo namuah nan iko, tolong | AM-bo na-MU-ah nan EE-ko |
| The bill, please | Tolong, minta bonnyo bon (bill/receipt) is a common loanword; confirm the most natural local phrasing | |
| Where is …? | Dima …? fill the gap with the thing you're looking for | DEE-ma |
| Help! | Tolong! same word as "please", used alone as a cry for help | |
| I need a doctor | Ambo paralu dokter | AM-bo pa-RA-lu DOK-ter |
| Call the police! | Hubuangi polisi! | hu-BU-a-ngi po-LI-si |
| Can you help me? | Apak bisa manolong ambo? Apak = polite "you" for a man; to a woman say Ibuk |
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