Medan has a unique language that can be confusing for foreigners. It's neither pure Batak nor pure Malay, but rather a blend of various cultures, making it even more distinctive.
To help you better understand and avoid awkwardness when interacting with Medan residents, here's a list of Indonesian words from the city. From transportation terms to iconic phrases, they'll instantly make you feel like a local.
Transportation & Places
Becak Hantu = Motorized rickshaw that goes very fast
Galon = Gas Station
Kede Aceh = Grocery shop (usually owned by Acehnese people)
Kede Sampah = Small shop selling vegetables and kitchen necessities
Kereta = Motorbike
Monja/Monza = Place selling imported used clothes (origin of the word: Monginsidi Plaza)
Pajak = Market (place for buying and selling vegetables, meat, or basic necessities)
Pasar = Paved highway
Pinggir! = Said to the public transport driver when a passenger wants to get off
Simpang = Crossroads or three-way intersections
Tembak = Shortcut or direct route to destination
Titi = Bridge
People's Nature & Character
Angek = Envy or jealousy
Baling = Errors, corruption, or behavior that starts to become strange/wrong
Banyak Pola = Too many antics or complicated
Berlagak = Proud
Celit = Stingy
Cengkunek = Too much style or nonsense
Congok = Greedy
Gecor = Big Mouth, can't keep a secret
Ecek-ecek = Pretend or just play around
Hajab = Dead, destroyed, or in great difficulty
Hambat = Blocking or obstructing someone else's path
Kompas = Extorting or blackmailing money
Koncet = Interjection for cursing
Kreak = Arrogant
Lantam = Sharp, spicy, or harsh tone of voice when speaking
Lasak = Can't keep quiet or be naughty
Ligat = Agile, nimble, or very fast
Mengkek = Spoiled or pretending to be pretty/handsome
Mentel = Coquettish
Paok = Stupid/Idiot
Pening = Dizzy or confused
Sengak = Sharp when speaking
Sok Paten = Feeling the greatest or the coolest
Tokok/Jitak = Hitting the head
Tungkik = A term for someone who doesn't care or pretends to be deaf
Pronouns & Daily Activities
Bah = An exclamation to express surprise, astonishment, or affirmation
Balen = Ask for more (usually related to food)
Barges = Friction goods; Naughty Women
Berondok = Hide
Beselemak = Messy or messy while eating/working
Bos = Terms for parents (Father/Mother)
Cakap-cakap = Casual chat
Cetek = Shallow or short (e.g., river water)
Cok/cak = An informal exclamation used to ask someone to do something
Gas = Continue or do it now
Golek-golek = Lying down or relaxing
Gondok = Annoyed
Gosok = Ironing clothes
Is = Interjections show disgust or dislike
Kedan = Close friend or best friend
Kelen = All of you
Ketua = Familiar terms for male friends
Kekeh = Funny or laughing out loud
Koyak = Ripped
Lek = Familiar terms for friends
Melalak = Going out of the house without a purpose (loitering)
Merepet = Nagging or getting angry
Sor = Like, be interested in, or have a crush on something/someone
Sor-soran = Just for fun (not serious)
Tandai = Remembering or marking people/places
Tarok = Put
Tengok = Look
Tumbuk = Hit or punch
Uwak = Term of address for older people (uncle/aunt) or senior traders
Culinary & Goods
Bonbon = Candy
Gelek = Marijuana
Gembok = Additional keys
Indomie = The term for all brands of instant noodles
Kopi O = Black coffee without milk (bitter coffee)
Mancis = Match/Lighter
Mandi = Cold Sweet Tea
Masuk Angin = Condition of crackers/food that is no longer crispy (soft)
Minyak Lampu = Kerosene
Pipet = Plastic straws for drinking
Plastik = Plastic bag
Tali Pinggang = Belt
Other Iconic & Popular Terms
Aci = Allowed or legal
Alamak = Exclamations when surprised or amazed
Bantai = Finish hard or beat the hell out of it
Cemana = How
Enceng = Finish (usually used in children's games)
Eskete = Enemies or not friends (usually a term used by children)
Gak Jelas = Confused or unconvinced
Guli = Marbles
Habes = Finished or ready
Hantam = Hit
Intip-intip Ayam = Pretending to be shy
Kek Mana = How
Macam Betul Aja = As if it were true (expression of doubting someone)
Mana Main = Not level or not counted
Ngeri-ngeri Sedap = Risky, nerve-wracking, but tempting
Pala = Very/Too (eg: "Gak pala jauh" = not too far)
Pekak = Deaf
Raun-raun = Traveling around using a vehicle
Selop = Slippers
Sikit-sikit = Little by little
Udah Pas-lah Itu = It's suitable or correct
Ujungnya = The final result
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