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How do you say hello?

People in Sumatra greet each other in different ways at different times of the day.  It all depends on where the sun is in the sky.

Learn how to say 'hello' in Indonesian (the language of Sumatra) and try it out on your friends. Remember to give the right greeting at the right time!

Selamat pagi (slam-at pa-gee*)

This is like our 'Good morning'.  Use this from when it gets light until the sun is overhead (roughly 11 am).

(*this is a hard g, said like the g in the name Maggie).

Selamat siang (slam-at see-ang)

Say this when the sun is overhead (11 am until 3 pm).

Selamat sore (slam-at saw-ray)

Used when the sun is starting to head towards the horizon (from 3 pm until sunset).

Selamat malam (slam-at mal-am)

This is the same as our 'Good evening', but only use it when it is dark outside.

Get cooking - Indonesian style!

Now you can say hello in Indonesian, why don't you try cooking some Indonesian recipes to welcome your friends with? See the link on the right for these mouthwatering recipes. You could even sell the food to raise money for the rainforest animals.