What Did You Say In Indonesian: Easy Translation Guide

by Jhon Lennon 55 views

Hey guys! Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to ask someone to repeat themselves in Indonesian? Maybe you're traveling through Indonesia, chatting with a local friend, or just trying to brush up on your language skills. Knowing how to say "What did you say?" is super handy. In this article, we're going to break down the best ways to ask someone to repeat themselves in Bahasa Indonesia, complete with explanations, context, and some extra tips to help you nail the pronunciation.

Basic Translation: Apa Katamu?

So, how do you say "What did you say?" in Indonesian? The most straightforward translation is "Apa katamu?" Let's break that down:

  • Apa: This means "what."
  • Kata: This means "said" or "say."
  • -mu: This is a possessive suffix that means "your." So, katamu translates to "your saying" or "what you said."

Putting it all together, "Apa katamu?" directly translates to "What did you say?" This is your go-to phrase for most situations. It’s simple, direct, and widely understood across Indonesia.

How to Use "Apa Katamu?"

Using this phrase is pretty straightforward. Imagine you're talking to someone, and you didn't quite catch what they said. Just say, "Apa katamu?" with a slightly questioning tone. For example:

You: "Kemarin saya pergi ke pantai." (Yesterday I went to the beach.)

Friend: "Oh, begitu? Lalu?" (Oh, really? Then?)

You: "Saya bertemu dengan banyak turis di sana." (I met many tourists there.)

Friend: "…(mumbling something you didn't hear)"

You: "Apa katamu?" (What did you say?)

Your friend would then repeat what they said. Easy peasy, right?

Pronunciation Tips for "Apa Katamu?"

Pronunciation is key to being understood. Here’s a quick guide:

  • Apa: Pronounced as "Ah-pah." The "a" is like the "a" in "father."
  • Kata: Pronounced as "Kah-tah." Again, the "a" is like the "a" in "father."
  • -mu: Pronounced as "moo." This one’s simple and sounds just like a cow!

So, practice saying "Ah-pah Kah-tah-moo?" a few times. Try to mimic the way native speakers say it. You can find plenty of Indonesian speakers online to listen to and imitate.

More Polite Alternatives

While "Apa katamu?" is perfectly acceptable, sometimes you might want to be a bit more polite, especially when speaking to elders or people in positions of authority. Here are a few alternatives you can use to show respect and courtesy.

"Maaf, bisa diulang?"

This phrase translates to "Sorry, could you repeat that?" and it's super polite. Let’s break it down:

  • Maaf: This means "sorry" or "excuse me."
  • Bisa: This means "can" or "could."
  • Diulang: This means "repeated."

So, "Maaf, bisa diulang?" is a very respectful way to ask someone to say something again. It implies that you're the one who didn't hear properly, rather than implying the speaker wasn't clear.

How to Use "Maaf, Bisa Diulang?"

Using this phrase is also straightforward. If you didn't hear someone, simply say "Maaf, bisa diulang?" with a polite tone. Here’s an example:

Boss: "Besok kita ada rapat penting jam 9 pagi." (Tomorrow we have an important meeting at 9 AM.)

You: "…(you didn't quite hear the time)."

You: "Maaf, bisa diulang?" (Sorry, could you repeat that?)

Boss: "Jam 9 pagi." (9 AM.)

Pronunciation Tips for "Maaf, Bisa Diulang?"

  • Maaf: Pronounced as "Mah-ahf." The "a" is like the "a" in "father," and the "f" is pronounced clearly.
  • Bisa: Pronounced as "Bee-sah." The "i" is like the "i" in "machine."
  • Diulang: Pronounced as "Dee-oo-lang." The "u" is like the "oo" in "moon," and the "ng" is a nasal sound, like the "ng" in "sing."

"Permisi, apa yang Anda katakan?"

This is another polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves. "Permisi, apa yang Anda katakan?" translates to "Excuse me, what did you say?"

  • Permisi: This means "excuse me."
  • Apa: This means "what."
  • Yang: This is a relative pronoun, similar to "that" or "which."
  • Anda: This means "you" (formal).
  • Katakan: This means "say" (formal).

Using Anda and katakan makes the phrase more formal and respectful, suitable for addressing people you don't know well or those in authority.

How to Use "Permisi, Apa yang Anda Katakan?"

This phrase is great for formal situations. For example, if you're speaking with a professor or a government official, this would be a good choice:

Official: "Kebijakan baru ini akan diimplementasikan mulai bulan depan." (This new policy will be implemented starting next month.)

You: "…(you didn't hear the starting date)."

You: "Permisi, apa yang Anda katakan?" (Excuse me, what did you say?)

Official: "Mulai bulan depan." (Starting next month.)

Pronunciation Tips for "Permisi, Apa yang Anda Katakan?"

  • Permisi: Pronounced as "Per-mee-see." The "e" is like the "e" in "bed," and the "i" is like the "i" in "machine."
  • Apa: Pronounced as "Ah-pah."
  • Yang: Pronounced as "Yahng." Remember the nasal "ng" sound.
  • Anda: Pronounced as "Ahn-dah." The "a" is like the "a" in "father."
  • Katakan: Pronounced as "Kah-tah-kahn." The "a" is like the "a" in "father."

Informal Ways to Ask for Repetition

Now, let's switch gears and look at some informal ways to ask someone to repeat themselves. These are perfect for friends, family, and people you're close to.

"Ha?"

Just like in English, sometimes a simple "Ha?" can do the trick. It’s very informal and should only be used with people you know well. It's the equivalent of saying "Huh?" in English.

How to Use "Ha?"

This is as simple as it gets. If you didn't hear something, just say "Ha?" with a questioning tone. For example:

Friend: "Gue baru beli motor baru!" (I just bought a new motorcycle!)

You: "Ha?" (Huh?)

Friend: "Iya, motor baru! Keren banget!" (Yes, a new motorcycle! It’s really cool!)

Pronunciation Tips for "Ha?"

  • Ha?: Pronounced exactly as it looks, "Ha?" Just make sure to raise your intonation at the end to indicate you're asking a question.

"Gimana?"

This one is a bit more nuanced. "Gimana?" technically means "How?" but in informal conversation, it can also mean "What?" or "What did you say?" It’s a very casual way to ask someone to repeat themselves.

How to Use "Gimana?"

Use "Gimana?" in casual conversations with friends. For example:

Friend: "Kita mau pergi camping akhir pekan ini." (We want to go camping this weekend.)

You: "Gimana?" (What?)

Friend: "Iya, camping di gunung!" (Yes, camping in the mountains!)

Pronunciation Tips for "Gimana?"

  • Gimana: Pronounced as "Gee-mah-nah." The "i" is like the "i" in "machine," and the "a" is like the "a" in "father."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with these phrases in your arsenal, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Using formal language with friends: Stick to informal phrases like "Ha?" or "Gimana?" with your buddies.
  • Using informal language in formal situations: Avoid "Ha?" when speaking to elders or superiors. Opt for "Maaf, bisa diulang?" or "Permisi, apa yang Anda katakan?"
  • Mumbling: Speak clearly, especially when using polite phrases. Mumbling can make it seem like you're not being sincere.
  • Not paying attention to tone: Your tone of voice is just as important as the words you use. Sound genuinely interested and respectful when asking someone to repeat themselves.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Whether you're looking for a simple, direct translation like "Apa katamu?" or a more polite option like "Maaf, bisa diulang?", you're now equipped with the knowledge to ask someone to repeat themselves in Indonesian. Remember to consider your audience and the context of the conversation to choose the most appropriate phrase. Happy practicing, and selamat belajar (happy learning)!