# Riau Malay phrasebook

Riau Malay (locally known as bahase Melayu Riau) is commonly claimed to be the "purest" variety of Malay language. It is natively spoken in eastern regions of the island of Sumatra within the state/province of Riau and the Riau Islands.

## Significance

Having heavy linguistic influences from another languages, Riau Malay was used as the main base of Standard Malay, which is a standardized variety of Malay developed by Riau's noblemen to serve as the language unifier for Malays in several regions of Sumatra, as well as in Riau Islands (which also used to include the island of Singapore). From Singapore, the popularity of Riau Malay later also spread to the neighbouring region of Johor as well as Malacca (part of modern-day Malaya/Malaysia), and served as a lingua franca for another Indonesian-origin multiethnic groups of Javanese, Palembang, Minangkabau, Bugis, and Banjar who settled in that region; however, only the Malays who speak Malay predominantly, respective ethnic groups might also be able to speak in their own native languages.
Valued as the High Malay variety and of Sumatran origin, the Riau Malay (and another Malay varieties in general) recognized as one of the national Intangible Heritages of the Republic of Indonesia. It is the co-official language of Riau, and its development and originality also managed by the Official Linguistic Center of Riau, located in the state/province of Riau.

## Understand

As a multilingual country, Indonesia has many regional native ethnic languages. Standard Indonesian is widely spoken nationally all across Indonesia, but many other languages are commonly spoken, so it is important to differentiate between the "local spoken language" and "national language". Riau Malay served as an ethnic language of the Malay ethnic group, distinctively unique to eastern Sumatra regions, namely the state/province(s) of Riau, Riau Islands, and northern Jambi (spoken in modern countries of Singapore and Malaysia as well).
Some false friends can also be found between Standard Indonesian and respective languages (which also including Riau Malay), simply because the Indonesian language was formed from all languages spoken throughout the country (and one of them is Riau Malay); and if you are a person from outside of Indonesia (notably from India and China) or outside of Malay-speaking regions of Indonesia (notably from Java), you can find abundance of false friends between these languages as well, so some words might be perceived differently and shared different meanings, thus it is important to learn these language variety known as "Riau Malay".

## Pronunciation guide

The Riau Malay as an original form of Malay has super persistent pronunciation (and writing). It shared slightly different system compared to its descendants variety, namely the Malaysian Malay and Singapore Malay (both diverged in 1970s) which utterly can be specified as English-based Malay using full English pronunciation (and writing) which they experience some sort of difficulty to differentiate the pronunciation between the vowels of a, e, i, and o.

### Vowels
#### A (a)

    as in father

#### E (e)

    as in student

#### E (e)

    as in ten

#### U (u)

    as in rule

#### O (o)

    as in open

#### I (i)

    as in machine

#### ai

    as in Thailand

#### ui

    as in Louie

### Consonants
#### b

    like 'b' in "bed"

#### c

    like 'ch' in "China"

#### d

    like 'd' in "dog"

#### f

    like 'ph' in "phone"

#### g

    like 'g' in "go"

#### h

    like 'h' in "help"

#### j

    like 'dg' in "edge"

#### k

    like 'c' in "cat"

#### l

    like 'l' in "love"

#### m

    like 'm' in "mother"

#### n

    like 'n' in "nice"

#### p

    like 'p' in "pig"

#### q

    like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always)

#### r

    like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather"

#### s

    like 'ss' in "hiss"

#### t

    like 't' in "top"

#### v

    like 'v' in "victory"

#### w

    like 'w' in "weight"

#### x

    like 'cks' in "kicks"

#### y

    like 'y' in "yes"

#### z

    like 'z' in "haze"

### Common digraphs
#### ai

    like 'ai' in "aH-ee"

#### au

    like 'aw' in "awe"

#### oi

    like 'oy' in "boy"

#### ou

    like 'ow' in "grow"

#### kh

    like 'kh' in "khaki"

#### sy

    like 'sh' in "sheep"

## Phrase list
### Basics
#### Hello.

    Halo.

#### Hello. (informal)

    Hei.

#### How are you?

    Ape khabar?

#### Fine, thank you.

    Khabar baik je, terime kasih ye.

#### What is your name?

    Sape name mike?

#### My name is ______ .

    Name sahaye ______ .

#### Nice to meet you.

    Seronok boleh berjumpe dengan mike.

#### Please.

    Sile.

#### Thank you.

    Terime kasih.

#### You're welcome.

    Terime kasih kembali. / Same-same.

#### Yes.

    Iye. / Ye.

#### No.

    Tidak. / Tak.

#### Excuse me. (getting attention)

    Tumpang tanye.

#### Excuse me. (begging pardon)

    Maaf ye.

#### I'm sorry.

    Saye minte maaf.

#### Goodbye

    Jumpe lagi ye.

#### Goodbye (informal)

    Dadah.

#### I can't speak Riau Malay [well].

    Saye ni tak pandai berborak bahase Melayu Riau [secare helok].

#### Do you speak English?

    Mike berborak bahase Inggris tak?

#### Is there someone here who speaks English?

    Ade kat sini yang boleh berborak bahase Inggris?

#### Help!

    Bantu! / Tolong!

#### Look out!

    Tengok helok-helok!

#### Good morning.

    Selamat pagi.

#### Good afternoon.

    Selamat tengah hari.

#### Good evening.

    Selamat petang.

#### Good night.

    Selamat malam.

#### Good night (to sleep)

    Selamat tidur.

#### I don't understand.

    Saye tak faham.

#### Where is the toilet?

    Dekat mane ye tandas?

### Problems
#### Leave me alone.

    Biarkan je saye sorang-sorang.

#### Don't touch me!

    Jangan jamah saye!

#### I'll call the police.

    Saye nak panggil polisi.

#### Police!

    Polisi!

#### Stop! Thief!

    Berhenti! Pencuri!

#### I need your help.

    Saye perlukan bantuan mike.

#### It's an emergency.

    Ini kecemasan.

#### I'm lost.

    Saye kene sesat.

#### I lost my bag.

    Tas saye hilang.

#### I lost my wallet.

    Dompet saye hilang.

#### I'm sick.

    Saye sakit. / Saye tak saihat.

#### I've been injured.

    Saye kene luke.

#### I need a doctor.

    Saye perlukan dokter.

#### Can I use your phone?

    Boleh saye nak pinjam hape mike?

### Numbers
#### 1

    satu

#### 2

    due

#### 3

    tige

#### 4

    empat

#### 5

    lime

#### 6

    enam

#### 7

    tujuh

#### 8

    delapan

#### 9

    sembilan

#### 10

    sepuluh

#### 11

    satu belas / sebelas

#### 12

    due belas

#### 13

    tige belas

#### 14

    empat belas

#### 15

    lime belas

#### 16

    enam belas

#### 17

    tujuh belas

#### 18

    delapan belas

#### 19

    sembilan belas

#### 20

    due puluh

#### 21

    due puluh satu

#### 22

    due puluh due

#### 23

    due puluh tige

#### 30

    tige puluh

#### 40

    empat puluh

#### 50

    lime puluh

#### 60

    enam puluh

#### 70

    tujuh puluh

#### 80

    delapan puluh

#### 90

    sembilan puluh

#### 100

    satu ratus / seratus

#### 200

    due ratus

#### 300

    tige ratus

#### 1000

    satu ribu / seribu

#### 2000

    due ribu

#### 1,000,000

    satu jute

#### 1,000,000,000

    satu miliar

#### 1,000,000,000,000

    satu triliun

#### number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

    nomer _____

#### half

    separuh

#### less

    kurang

#### more

    lebih

### Time
#### now

    mase ni

#### later

    nanti

#### before

    sebelum

#### after

    selepas

#### morning

    pagi

#### afternoon

    tengah hari

#### evening

    petang

#### night

    malam

#### Clock time
##### one o'clock AM

    pukul satu pagi bute

##### two o'clock AM

    pukul due pagi bute

##### noon

    tengah hari

##### one o'clock PM

    pukul satu tengah hari

##### two o'clock PM

    pukul due tengah hari

##### midnight

    mase tengah malam

#### Duration
##### _____ second(s)

    _____ saat

##### _____ minute(s)

    _____ menit

##### _____ hour(s)

    _____ jam

##### _____ day(s)

    _____ hari

##### _____ week(s)

    _____ pekan

##### _____ month(s)

    _____ bulan

##### _____ year(s)

    _____ tahun

#### Days
##### today

    hari ini / harini

##### yesterday

    semalam

##### tomorrow

    hari esok / esok

##### this week

    pekan ini / pekan ni

##### last week

    pekan lepas

##### next week

    pekan kehadapan

##### Sunday

    Ahad

##### Monday

    Isnin

##### Tuesday

    Selase

##### Wednesday

    Rabu

##### Thursday

    Khamis

##### Friday

    Jumaat

##### Saturday

    Sabat / Sabtu

#### Months
##### January

    Bulan satu / Januari

##### February

    Bulan due / Februari

##### March

    Bulan tige / Maret

##### April

    Bulan empat / April

##### May

    Bulan lime / May

##### June

    Bulan enam / Juni

##### July

    Bulan tujuh / Juli

##### August

    Bulan delapan / Agustus

##### September

    Bulan sembilan / September

##### October

    Bulan sepuluh / Oktober

##### November

    Bulan sebelas / November

##### December

    Bulan due belas / Desember

#### Writing time and date

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

### Colors
#### black

    hitam

#### white

    putih

#### gray

    kelabu

#### red

    merah

#### blue

    biru

#### yellow

    kuning

#### green

    hijau

#### orange

    oranye

#### purple / indigo

    nile

#### brown

    ;cokelat

### Transportation
#### Bus and train
##### How much is a ticket to _____?

    Berape ye harge tiket kalau nak pergi ke _____?

##### One ticket to _____, please.

    Nak beli satu tiket untuk pergi ke _____.

##### Where does this train/bus go?

    Nak pergi kat mane kerete api/bus ni?

##### Where is the train/bus to _____?

    Dekat mane kerete api/bus untuk ke _____?

##### Does this train/bus stop in _____?

    Kerete api/bus ni berhenti kat _____ ke?

##### When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

    Bile mase kerete api/bus untuk _____ nak pergi?

##### When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

    Bile kerete api/bus ni nak tibe dekat _____?

#### Directions
##### How do I get to _____ ?

    Macam mane saye boleh pergi ke ______?

##### ...the train station?

    ...stasiun kerete api?

##### ...the bus station?

    ...stasiun bus?

##### ...the airport?

    ...bandare (bandar udare)?

##### ...downtown?

    ...pusat kote?

##### ...the youth hostel?

    ...hostel khas bujang?

##### ...the _____ hotel?

    ...hotel _____?

##### ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

    ...konsulat Amerike/Kanade/Austrelie/Inggris?

##### Where are there a lot of...

    Dekat mane yang ade banyak...

##### ...hotels?

    ...hotel?

##### ...restaurants?

    ...rumah makan?

##### ...bars?

    ...bar?

##### ...sites to see?

    ...situs/tempat yang boleh dilancong?

##### Can you show me on the map?

    Boleh mike tunjuk tak yang mane satu kat pete ni?

##### street

    jalan

##### Turn left.

    Pusing kiri.

##### Turn right.

    Pusing kanan.

##### left

    kiri

##### right

    kanan

##### straight ahead

    terus je

##### towards the _____

    menuju _____

##### past the _____

    lalu _____

##### before the _____

    sebelum _____

##### in front of the _____

    ade kat depan _____

##### behind the _____

    kat belakang _____

##### Watch for the _____.

    Kene perati pasal _____.

##### intersection

    persimpangan

##### inside

    dekat dalam

##### outside

    dekat luar

##### north

    utare

##### south

    selatan

##### east

    timur

##### west

    bharat

##### uphill

    tanjakan

##### downhill

    turunan

#### Taxi
##### Taxi!

    Taksi!

##### Take me to _____, please.

    Boleh hantar saye ke _____.

##### How much does it cost to get to _____?

    Berape duit kalau nak pergi ke _____?

##### Take me there, please.

    Hantar saye dekat sane ye.

### Lodging
#### Do you have any rooms available?

    Ade bilik yang masih kosong lagi tak?

#### How much is a room for one person/two people?

    Berape duit kalau nak bilik untuk sorang-sorang/due orang?

#### Does the room come with...

    Bilik ni ade ... sekali tak?

#### ...bedsheets

    ...sprei

#### ...a bathroom

    ...tandas

#### ...a telephone?

    ...telepon

#### ...a TV?

    ...tivi

#### May I see the room first?

    Boleh saye nak tengok bilik dulu?

#### Do you have anything...

    Ade yang...

#### ...quieter?

    ...lagi sunyi?

#### ...bigger?

    ...lagi besak?

#### ...cleaner?

    ...lagi bersih?

#### ...cheaper?

    ...lagi murah?

#### OK, I'll take it.

    Okei, saye nak ambik yang ni.

#### I will stay for _____ night(s).

    Saye nak menginap untuk _____ malam.

#### Can you suggest another hotel?

    Boleh cadangkan hotel yang lain tak?

#### Do you have a safe...?

    Kat sini ade bende gune nak amankan...?

#### ...lockers?

    ...loker?

#### Is breakfast/supper included?

    Makan pagi/malam dah termasuk sekali?

#### What time is breakfast/supper?

    Bile mase untuk makan pagi/malam?

#### Please clean my room.

    Bantu bersihkan bilik saye ye.

#### Can you wake me at _____?

    Boleh tak mike bangunkan saye pukul _____?

#### I want to check out.

    Saye nak keluar daripade hotel.

### Money
#### Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

    Dekat sini boleh bayar gune duit dolar Amerika/Australie/Kanade tak?

#### Do you accept British pounds?

    Dekat sini boleh bayar gune duit ponsterling Inggris?

#### Do you accept credit cards?

    Dekat sini boleh bayar gune kartu kredit?

#### Can you change money for me?

    Boleh tak mike bantu saye nak tukarkan duit?

#### Where can I get money changed?

    Dekat mane ye saye boleh menukar duit?

#### Can you change a traveler's check for me?

    Boleh tak mike bantu saye ubah cek pelancong?

#### Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

    Dekat mane ye saye boleh menukar cek pelancongan?

#### What is the exchange rate?

    Nilai tukar duit harini berape ye?

#### Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

    Dekat mane ye ATM?

### Eating
#### A table for one person/two people, please.

    Saye nak meje untuk sorang-sorang/due orang ye.

#### Can I look at the menu, please?

    Boleh saye tengok menu?

#### Can I look in the kitchen?

    Boleh ke tak kalau saye nak tengok dekat dapur?

#### Is there a house specialty?

    Ade tak makanan khas rumahan dekat sini?

#### Is there a local specialty?

    Ade tak makanan khas tempatan dekat sini?

#### I'm a vegetarian.

    Saye vegetarian

#### I don't eat pork.

    Saye tak makan daging babi.

#### I don't eat beef.

    Saye tak makan daging lembu.

#### I only eat halal food.

    Saye makan makanan halal je.

#### Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

    Boleh tak mike buat sikit je (minyak/mentege/lemak)?

#### fixed-price meal

    makanan harge pas

#### a la carte

    ala karte

#### breakfast

    makan pagi

#### lunch

    makan siang

#### tea (meal)

    teh

#### supper

    makan malam

#### I want _____.

    Saye nak _____.

#### I want a dish containing _____.

    Saye nak hidangan yang mengandungi _____.

#### chicken

    daging ayam

#### beef

    daging lembu

#### fish

    daging ikan

#### ham

    ham

#### sausage

    sosis

#### cheese

    keju

#### eggs

    telur

#### salad

    salad

#### (fresh) vegetables

    sayur-sayur (segar)

#### (fresh) fruit

    buah (segar)

#### bread

    roti

#### toast

    bakar

#### noodles

    mi

#### rice

    nasi

#### beans

    kekacang / kacang-kacang

#### May I have a glass of _____?

    Boleh tak saye nak segelas _____?

#### May I have a cup of _____?

    Boleh tak saye nak secangkir _____?

#### May I have a bottle of _____?

    Boleh tak saye nak sebotol _____?

#### coffee

    kopi

#### tea (drink)

    teh

#### juice

    jus

#### (bubbly) water

    air soda

#### water

    air

#### beer

    bir

#### red/white wine

    anggur merah/putih

#### May I have some _____?

    Boleh tak saye nak tambah sikit _____?

#### salt

    garam

#### black pepper

    lade hitam

#### butter

    mentega

#### Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

    Tumpang permisi, akak/abang?

#### I'm finished.

    Saye dah selesai.

#### It was delicious.

    Sedap sangat.

#### Please clear the plates.

    Bersihkan pinggan-pinggan tu ye.

#### The check, please.

    Akak/abang, nak nota untuk bayar.

### Bars
#### Do you serve alcohol?

    Dekat sini ade hidang alkohol tak?

#### Is there table service?

    Ade meje hidang ke tak?

#### A beer/two beers, please.

    Nak satu/due bir ye.

#### A glass of red/white wine, please.

    Nak satu gelas anggur merah/putih ye.

#### A pint, please.

    Nak separuh liter je ye.

#### A bottle, please.

    Nak sebotol ye.

#### whiskey

    wiski

#### vodka

    vodka

#### rum

    rum

#### water

    air

#### club soda

    soda klub

#### tonic water

    air tonik

#### orange juice

    jus jeruk

#### Coke (soda)

    Koka-kola

#### Do you have any bar snacks?

    Ade snek batangan tak?

#### One more, please.

    Nak satu lagi.

#### Another round, please.

    Ronde lain lagi.

#### When is closing time?

    Bile mase nak tutup?

#### Cheers!

    Sulang!

### Shopping
#### Do you have this in my size?

    Ade ukuran saye tak untuk yang ni?

#### How much is this?

    Kalau yang ni berape?

#### That's too expensive.

    Mahalnye. / Mahal sangat lah.

#### Would you take _____?

    Nak tak ambik _____?

#### expensive

    mahal

#### cheap

    murah

#### I can't afford it.

    Tak mampu lah saye.

#### I don't want it.

    Saye tak nak.

#### You're cheating me.

    Mike ni tipu je.

#### I'm not interested.

    Saye tak minat.

#### OK, I'll take it.

    Okei, saya nak ambik.

#### Can I have a bag?

    Dapat tas tak?

#### Do you ship (overseas)?

    Mike boleh kirim (luar negare)?

#### I need...

    Saye perlu...

#### ...toothpaste.

    ...ubat gigi.

#### ...a toothbrush.

    ...sikat gigi.

#### ...tampons.

    ...pembalut.

#### ...soap.

    ...sabun.

#### ...shampoo.

    ...sampo.

#### ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

    ...perede nyeri.

#### ...cold medicine.

    ...ubat flu.

#### ...stomach medicine.

    ...ubat sakit perut.

#### ...a razor.

    ...pisau cukur.

#### ...an umbrella.

    ...payung.

#### ...sunblock lotion.

    ...tabir surye.

#### ...a postcard.

    ...kartu pos.

#### ...postage stamps.

    ...stempel ongkos kirim.

#### ...batteries.

    ...baterai.

#### ...writing paper.

    ...kertas.

#### ...a pen.

    ...pulpen.

#### ...English-language books.

    ...buku berbahase Inggris.

#### ...English-language magazines.

    ...majalah berbahase Inggris.

#### ...an English-language newspaper.

    ...surat khabar berbahase Inggris.

#### ...an English-English dictionary.

    ...kamus bahase Inggris.

### Driving
#### I want to rent a car.

    Saye nak sewe kerete.

#### Can I get insurance?

    Boleh dapat asuransi tak?

#### stop (on a street sign)

    berhenti

#### one way

    satu arah

#### no parking

    takleh parkir

#### speed limit

    batas kelajuan

#### gas (petrol) station

    pom bensin

#### petrol

    petrol

#### diesel

    disel

### Authority
#### I haven't done anything wrong.

    Saye tak buat kesilapan.

#### It was a misunderstanding.

    Tu tersilap faham je.

#### Where are you taking me?

    Mike nak hantar saye kat mane?

#### Am I under arrest?

    Saye kene tahan ke ni?

#### I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

    Saye wargenegare Amerike/Austrelie/Kanade.

#### I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

    Saye nak berborak dengan konsulat Amerike/Australie/Inggris/Kanade.

#### I want to talk to a lawyer.

    Saye nak berborak dengan pengacare.

#### Can I just pay a fine now?

    Boleh tak saye bayar dende je mase ni?