Intro part 2

Another common Indonesian greeting is “Dari mana?”. It means “from where”, it also means “Where have you been?”, “Where were you?” “Where did you go?”. Indonesians say it whenever they see someone arrive from somewhere.

For most foreigners this question is considered a personal question. Many of them are taken aback when a stranger (Indonesian) asks this question casually on the street. “What does this person want to know where I’m from?” You might think.

Behind this seemingly invasive approach, Indonesians basically just want to say “hi”. It is a part of the local hospitality.

Your answer can begin with preposition “dari” (from).

• Saya dari kantor. I am from the office. OR
• Dari kantor. From the office.
• Saya dari rumah. I am from home. OR
• Dari rumah. From home.

Mau ke mana?

Another common Indonesian greeting is “Mau ke mana?” “, meaning “Where are you going?”. This questions is commonly asked every time they see you ready to go somewhere.

“Mau” means “want”, literally means “want to where”. Your answer can begin with preposition “ke” means “to”. “Ke mana” means “to where”

• Saya mau ke pasar. I am going to the market.
• Ke pasar. To the market.
• Saya mau ke kantor. I am going to the office.
• Ke kantor. To the offce.
• Saya mau pulang. I am going home.
• Pulang. Going home.