L1 Quiz 2: Common Greetings & Polite Expressions

If you want to politely excuse yourself from a conversation in Indonesia, which phrase would you use?

• Maaf, saya harus pergi.

• Terima kasih.

• Apa kabar?

• Silakan duduk.

Answer explanation

"Maaf, saya harus pergi" translates to "Sorry, I have to go," and is a polite way to excuse yourself. It’s common to use "maaf" (sorry) as part of polite communication in Indonesian culture to soften the departure. "Terima kasih" means "thank you," "Apa kabar?" means "how are you?", and "Silakan duduk" means "please sit."

Reflection: In what other contexts do Indonesian use 'maaf'? 

Anda sedang berada di pertemuan formal, dan ingin meminta bantuan secara sopan. Manakah kalimat yang benar? 

• Tolong pergi

• Mohon maaf

• Mohon bantuannya

• Permisi

Answer explanation

Anda sedang berada di pertemuan formal, dan ingin meminta bantuan secara sopan. Manakah kalimat yang benar?

(You are in a formal meeting and want to ask for help politely. Which sentence is correct?)

The correct answer is "Mohon bantuannya"

Structure: Bantu (root verb) + -an (suffix) + -nya (possessive suffix)

Adding "-an" turns verb into noun, and adding "nya" makes it possessive or definite, indicating specific help or assistance, often implying "the help that was given." Example: Terima kasih atas bantuannya (Thank you for your assistance).

Reflection: what does "Tolong pergi" means? Do you think it is polite in informal setting?

When meeting an elder or someone of higher status in Indonesia, how should you address them? (Tick all that are correct)

• By using "kamu"

• By using "Anda" 

• By using their first name

• By using their title prof, dokter, etc.

• By using "Bapak/Ibu"

Answer explanation

In Indonesian culture, addressing elders or superiors with "Bapak Budi" (Mr. Budi), "Bapak" (Sir) or "Ibu Sari" (Mrs. Sari), or "Ibu" (Madam) shows respect. "Anda" is a formal way to say "you." Using "kamu" is informal and can be considered disrespectful in certain contexts. Besides, Indonesians usually address certain profesional title following by their name. Example: Prof. Tantra or dokter Mercu. 

Jika seseorang berkata "Terima Kasih" kepada anda di Indonesia, bagaimana seharusnya anda secara sopan merespon?

• Tidak ada masalah.

• Sama-sama.

• Tolong.

• Maaf.

Answer explanation

Jika seseorang berkata "Terima Kasih" kepada anda di Indonesia, bagaimana seharusnya anda secara sopan merespon?

(If someone says "Terima kasih" to you in Indonesia, how should you politely respond?)

The correct way to respond when someone says "Terima kasih" is "sama-sama" meaning "you are welcome". 

KATEGORI-kan frasa berikut ke dalam kategori formal.(Tick all that are correct)

• Mohon bantuannya

• Makasih

• Sama-sama

• Permisi

• Pagi.

Answer explanation

KATEGORI-kan frasa berikut ke dalam kategori formal.

KATEGORI-kan frasa berikut ke dalam kategori formal.

(Categorize the following phrase into formal category.)

Structure: "Kategori" (noun) + "-kan" (suffix)

Adding "-kan" turns noun into verb indicating an order, therefore "Kategori" is Category while "Kategorikan" is Categorize.

The correct answer are "Mohon bantuannya", "sama-sama", and "permisi"

Reflection: how do you say "the following question" in Indonesian?