Getting around
Becak
Kemana, mas?
Where to?
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.
Yogyakarta
Indonesia
Yogyakarta is a royal city in central Java, between Mount Merapi and the southern coast.
How the language is used
Javanese is very widely spoken. Indonesian is the language of public life.
In this city
- Language
- Indonesian
- Also heard
- Mostly Indonesian
- A local word
- Gudeg — One gudeg.
- Writing
- the Latin alphabet
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
Food
Warung
Satu gudeg.
One gudeg.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
Jalan
Monggo.
Please, go ahead.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The counter
Toko
Terima kasih.
Thank you.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
The language through the day
Javanese is very widely spoken. Indonesian is the language of signs, school, and offices.
Around Malioboro, the Kraton, Prawirotaman, this is the ordinary sound of the day.
A first day in Yogyakarta can run on four lines: “Kemana, mas?”, “Satu gudeg.”, “Monggo.”, and “Terima kasih.”. 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 Yogyakarta, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: Gudeg. It means One gudeg..
Places you can see
- Kraton — The sultan's palace, still the centre of court life.
- Malioboro — The main shopping street north of the palace.
- Prambanan — A Hindu temple complex nearby, to the east of the city.
Food
Gudeg, a stew of young jackfruit, is the city's signature dish.
Getting around
Cycle rickshaws called becak work in the centre. Prambanan is nearby, and you can reach it by road to the east.
Daily life
Court events use a refined form of Javanese. Schools and street signs use Indonesian.
A few everyday phrases
Indonesian
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Halo | Hello |
| Terima kasih | Thank you |
| Selamat pagi | Good morning |
| Nama saya… | My name is… |
