Getting around
Bus
Halte berikutnya.
Next stop.
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
How the language is used
Indonesian is the public language. Javanese is widely used too, including the direct Surabaya style.
In this city
- Language
- Indonesian
- Also heard
- Mostly Indonesian
- A local word
- Rawon — One rawon.
- Writing
- the Latin alphabet
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
Food
Warung
Satu rawon.
One rawon.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
Jalan
Permisi.
Excuse me.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The counter
Toko
Makan di sini.
I'll eat here.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
The language through the day
Indonesian is the public language. Javanese is widely used too, in a direct local style.
Around the port, Tunjungan, the Sampoerna quarter, this is the ordinary sound of the day.
A first day in Surabaya can run on four lines: “Halte berikutnya.”, “Satu rawon.”, “Permisi.”, and “Makan di sini.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Latin alphabet.
- Permisi opens the question. Mas or mbak is a friendly address.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Surabaya, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: Rawon. It means One rawon..
Places you can see
- Heroes Monument — A statue and pillar for the battle of November 1945.
- House of Sampoerna — A historic house in the old tobacco compound beside the river.
- Kalimas — The river that runs through the old port quarter.
Food
Rawon, a black beef soup coloured with keluak, is the local bowl.
Getting around
City buses link the port with the centre. You can also cross toward Madura by boat.
Daily life
Home talk is often Surabaya Javanese. Work and school use Indonesian.
A few everyday phrases
Indonesian
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Halo | Hello |
| Terima kasih | Thank you |
| Selamat pagi | Good morning |
| Nama saya… | My name is… |
