VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Let’s Speak Indonesian is a program that introduces the Indonesian vocabulary and guides you to speak in the language. Mari Berbahasa Indonesia or Let’s Speak Indonesian is a joint initiative of Voice of Indonesia and the Language Development Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.  Today’s topic is “Ajakan/mengajak” which means “Invitation/invite”. Stay tuned.

Read to the conversation about “Ajakan/mengajak” which means “Invitation/invite”. This conversation is between Kevinand Melawhen they are planning a weekend holiday. Kevin asks Mela, his workmate, to go to the beach. 

Pre-recorded:

Having listened to the conversation, now I am going to introduce some vocabulary and expressions related to the topic of the day.

In the dialog, you listen to an expression Ayo, kita berjalan-jalan ke pantai! (2x) which means Let’s take a walk to the beach. In Indonesian, the word ayo! (2x) which means let’s go! is used to invite someone. The word ayo isplaced before the dialog topic. For example: Ayo, kita berjalan-jalan ke pantai! (2x) which means Let’s take a walk to the beach!

Besides ayo, another expression of invitation is yuk (2x) which means let’s go. This interjection is used when talking with a friend. It can be placed before or after the dialog topic. 

For examples: 

Kevin   : Mela, yuk, kita berjalan-jalan ke pantai!

Mela    : Yuk!

Kevin   : Mela, kita berjalan-jalan ke pantai, yuk!

Mela    : Yuk!

When inviting someone that you know well, Indonesians usually use the words yuk or ayo. However,to invite someone respected or someone that you do not know well yet, they usually use the word mari (2x) which means let’s go. For example: Mari kita pergi! (2x) which means Let’s go!

That was “Let’s Speak Indonesian” for today. Hopefully, this edition can be useful for those of you who want to know more about Indonesian language.