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Medanese Slang

Jangan bikin awak palak (Don't annoy me)

Have you heard about Medan? Maybe yes, maybe no. It is not so famous as Bali or Jakarta, however, this city and the culinary is worth to explore.

This capital city of North Sumatera province is the third largest city and fourth most populous city in Indonesia. Apart from that, it is also the largest city in Sumatera Island and outside of Java Island, where the capital city is located. Located just less than one hour by flight from Penang (Malaysia) and about one and a half hour from Singapore, has made Medan a favorite tourism and business destination by both countries.

The ethnic diversity in Medan has contributed numerous tasty dishes  from sweet Javanese cuisine, hot Padang dishes, delicious Batak grilled pork, spicy Indian curry, to savory Chinese noodles. Medan is also called the melting pot of Indonesia.

Apart from the exotic dishes, local slang has caught much of attention too. It does not matter how good your Indonesian language is, you may still be confused if you do not recognize the local slang. Several of Medanese slang are listed, but not limited to, the following:

#
Medanese
Indonesian
English
1
Amburadul
Berantakan
Untidy
2
Aqua
Air mineral
Mineral water
3
Belanggar
Tabrakan
Crash; collision
4
Berabe
Kacau
Disorderly
5
Berantem
Berkelahi
To fight
6
Bini
Istri
Wife
7
BK
Plat nomor
Vehicle registration plate
8
Congok
Rakus
Greedy
9
Kelen
Kalian
You (plural)
10
Kereta; Honda
Sepeda motor
Motorcycle
11
Lagak; Kreak
Sombong
Cocky
12
Lasak
Tidak bisa diam (gerakan)
Restless
13
Libas; Gibal; Hantam; Kipas
Pukul
To beat (fight)
14
Macam; Kayak
Seperti
As; like
15
Mengkek
Manja
Spoiled (person)
16
Mentel
Genit
Flirty
17
Motor
Mobil
Car
18
Pajak
Pasar
(Traditional) Market
19
Palak
Kesal
Annoyed
20
Paret
Selokan
Ditch
21
Pauk; Bengak
Bodoh
Stupid
22
Pulak
Rupanya
Apparently
23
Raun-raun
Jalan-jalan
To stroll
24
Senget
Gila
Crazy
25
Siap + kata kerja
Selesai + kata kerja
Has/ Have + verb (Perfect Tense)
26
Silap
Salah
Mistaken
27
Sor
Sangat tertarik
Very interested in
28
Tekongan
Tikungan
Junction
29
Tengok
Lihat
To see
30
Titun
Tidur
To sleep

Have you heard or been to Medan? What do you think? Do you know Medanese slang that is not on the list? Thanks for reading. Feel free to share this article if you like. If you have any opinions, please leave a comment. I love reading them.

Photo credit
Tauko Medan

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