Basic Verbs

18 phrases · Sundanese with romanization, English and audio

  1. Indit

    To go

    Usage

    The basic verb "to go", used in plain speech

    Grammar Note

    For polite speech use angkat for the other person's going and mios for your own

  2. Datang

    To come

    Usage

    The basic verb "to come"

    Grammar Note

    Politely, the other person's arrival is sumping (Wilujeng sumping means "welcome")

  3. Dahar

    To eat

    Usage

    The basic verb "to eat"

    Grammar Note

    For the other person's eating use the polite tuang, for your own the humble neda; never tuang for yourself, and nyatu is rude

  4. Nginum

    To drink

    Usage

    The verb for ordering or having a drink

    Grammar Note

    The nasal form of inum; its object is something like cai (water)

  5. Meuli

    To buy

    Usage

    The basic shopping verb

    Grammar Note

    The polite form is mésér

  6. Ningali

    To see

    Usage

    The verb for looking at or seeing something

    Grammar Note

    Widely used in everyday speech; the casual form is nénjo

  7. Ngadagoan

    To wait

    Usage

    When waiting for a person or a bus

    Grammar Note

    When politely asking someone to wait use ngantosan (Mangga ngantosan means "please wait")

  8. Abdi hoyong mios.

    I want to go.

    Usage

    Politely state that you want to go or leave

    Grammar Note

    Hoyong is the polite form of hayang ("want"); mios is the humble verb for your own going

  9. Abdi hoyong neda.

    I want to eat.

    Usage

    Say you are hungry or want a meal

    Grammar Note

    Neda is the humble verb for your own eating; use tuang for the other person

  10. Abdi hoyong ieu.

    I want this.

    Usage

    Politely say which item you want while pointing at it

    Grammar Note

    Replace ieu with the name of the thing to ask for something else

  11. Abdi teu peryogi.

    I don't need it.

    Usage

    Politely decline a sales pitch or an offer

    Grammar Note

    Peryogi is the polite "need"; the plain form is perlu

  12. Abdi nuju néangan éta.

    I'm looking for it.

    Usage

    Say what you are searching for; you can put the name of the thing in place of éta

    Grammar Note

    Nuju marks an action in progress; the plain form is keur

  13. Abdi gaduh.

    I have it.

    Usage

    The answer when asked whether you have something

    Grammar Note

    Gaduh is the polite "have"; the plain form is boga

  14. Abdi teu gaduh.

    I don't have it.

    Usage

    Say that you do not have it

    Grammar Note

    Putting teu into the previous sentence makes it negative

  15. Abdi badé narik duit.

    I'll withdraw money.

    Usage

    Say it before heading to an ATM

    Grammar Note

    Narik means "pull" and is also used for withdrawing money; badé is the polite form of rék. This sentence is composed from checked words and regular grammar, not quoted from a source.

  16. Abdi badé mesen.

    I'll make a reservation.

    Usage

    Used when booking a room or table or ordering a meal

    Grammar Note

    Mesen covers both "order" and "book"; add the thing after it

  17. Punten, abdi hoyong dibantosan.

    Excuse me, I would like some help.

    Usage

    A modest way to ask for help

    Grammar Note

    Dibantosan is the passive of ngabantosan; it expresses "I would like to be helped"

  18. Punten, abdi badé naros.

    Excuse me, may I ask something?

    Usage

    An opener before asking for directions or information

    Grammar Note

    Naros is the polite "to ask"; follow it with your question

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