المعنى
Request for someone to reduce their speaking speed.
خلفية ثقافية
In Java, speaking slowly and softly is a sign of high social status and refinement (halus). Asking someone to speak 'pelan' might actually be seen as a compliment to their manners. Batak people are known for speaking loudly and quickly. Don't be offended! Using 'Tolong bicara pelan' is perfectly fine and they will usually laugh and accommodate you. In Bali, tourism is huge. Most locals are used to foreigners. If you use the Indonesian phrase instead of English, they will be very impressed and likely slow down even more to help you learn. Jakartans use a lot of 'Bahasa Gaul' (slang) and speak very fast. They often use 'dong' to make requests sound more like a social invitation to be understood.
The 'Hand Signal'
Pair the phrase with a 'pushing down' hand gesture to visually signal 'slow down.' It's very effective in noisy environments.
Don't forget the 'Ya'
Adding 'ya' at the end (Tolong bicara pelan, ya?) makes it sound much friendlier and less like a robot.
المعنى
Request for someone to reduce their speaking speed.
The 'Hand Signal'
Pair the phrase with a 'pushing down' hand gesture to visually signal 'slow down.' It's very effective in noisy environments.
Don't forget the 'Ya'
Adding 'ya' at the end (Tolong bicara pelan, ya?) makes it sound much friendlier and less like a robot.
Smile!
In Indonesia, a request without a smile can be seen as grumpy. A small smile makes the 'Tolong' much more powerful.
اختبر نفسك
Which word is the most polite way to start a request in Indonesian?
____ bicara pelan.
'Tolong' is the standard polite marker for requests. 'Silakan' is for giving permission.
Complete the sentence to ask someone to speak 'a little' slowly.
Tolong bicara pelan ____.
'Sedikit' means 'a little' and is used to soften requests.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are in a formal meeting with a CEO.
'Mohon' and 'Pak' are appropriate for a formal business context.
What should the learner say next?
Native: 'Wah, kamu sudah pintar ya bahasa Indonesianya, belajar di mana? Sudah berapa lama?' Learner: 'Maaf, ____'
The native speaker is asking too many questions too fast; the learner needs them to slow down.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Pelan vs. Lambat
بنك التمارين
4 تمارين____ bicara pelan.
'Tolong' is the standard polite marker for requests. 'Silakan' is for giving permission.
Tolong bicara pelan ____.
'Sedikit' means 'a little' and is used to soften requests.
You are in a formal meeting with a CEO.
'Mohon' and 'Pak' are appropriate for a formal business context.
Native: 'Wah, kamu sudah pintar ya bahasa Indonesianya, belajar di mana? Sudah berapa lama?' Learner: 'Maaf, ____'
The native speaker is asking too many questions too fast; the learner needs them to slow down.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes! In casual situations, just saying 'Pelan-pelan' with a questioning intonation is perfectly understood.
'Pelan' can mean both slow speed and low volume. 'Lambat' only refers to slow speed. For speaking, 'pelan' is more common.
Not at all in Indonesia. Most people will appreciate that you are trying to understand them and will be happy to help.
You say 'Tolong bicara lebih keras' or 'Tolong bicara lebih lantang'.
This is reduplication. It's a common way in Indonesian to turn an adjective into an adverb or to add emphasis.
Yes, but use the formal version: 'Mohon maaf Pak/Bu, bisa bicara sedikit lebih pelan?'
It happens! Just say 'Maaf, sekali lagi, tolong pelan-pelan' (Sorry, once more, slowly please).
Yes, it can. If someone is shouting, 'Tolong bicara pelan' could mean 'Please speak more quietly.' Context is key!
If you want to be polite, yes. Without it, you are giving an order, which is usually too direct for Indonesian culture.
You can say 'Tolong pelan-pelan, Pak' or 'Jangan cepat-cepat, Pak.'
عبارات ذات صلة
Tolong ulangi
similarPlease repeat
Apa artinya?
builds onWhat does it mean?
Jangan cepat-cepat
contrastDon't go fast
Bicara lebih keras
similarSpeak louder
