Phrase in 30 Seconds
Sama is the Indonesian 'Swiss Army knife' word used to show things are identical or that people are doing things together.
- Means: 'Same' when comparing things, or 'with' in casual conversation.
- Used in: Comparing prices, ordering the same food, or hanging out with friends.
- Don't confuse: In very formal writing, use 'dengan' instead of 'sama' for 'with'.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Indicating similarity
Contexte culturel
The phrase 'sama-sama' reflects the communal nature of Indonesian society where kindness is seen as a shared experience. In Jakarta, 'sama' is often shortened to 'ma' in fast speech, reflecting the city's fast-paced, informal lifestyle. Many Javanese speakers use 'sama' as a bridge word when they can't remember the specific formal Indonesian 'dengan'. In Indonesian business, 'kerjasama' (working together/cooperation) is a sacred word, often used to start meetings.
The 'Me Too' Shortcut
If someone says something you agree with, just say 'Sama!' It's the easiest way to sound natural.
Formal Writing
Never use 'sama' to mean 'with' in an essay or a business email. Use 'dengan'.
The 'Me Too' Shortcut
If someone says something you agree with, just say 'Sama!' It's the easiest way to sound natural.
Formal Writing
Never use 'sama' to mean 'with' in an essay or a business email. Use 'dengan'.
Don't be shy with 'Sama-sama'
Indonesians say 'sama-sama' very enthusiastically. It's a key part of being polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with 'sama' or 'sama-sama'.
A: Terima kasih bantuannya! B: ________, ya!
The doubled form 'sama-sama' is the correct response to 'terima kasih'.
Which sentence means 'I am with my friend'?
Choose the correct Indonesian translation.
'Sama' is used informally to mean 'with'.
Match the Indonesian phrase with its English meaning.
1. Harga sama, 2. Pergi sama, 3. Sama-sama
These are the three primary uses of 'sama' for beginners.
Complete the dialogue at a restaurant.
Budi: 'Saya mau es teh.' | Susi: 'Saya ________ saja.'
'Sama saja' is a common way to say 'the same thing'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Sama vs. Mirip
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesA: Terima kasih bantuannya! B: ________, ya!
The doubled form 'sama-sama' is the correct response to 'terima kasih'.
Choose the correct Indonesian translation.
'Sama' is used informally to mean 'with'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three primary uses of 'sama' for beginners.
Budi: 'Saya mau es teh.' | Susi: 'Saya ________ saja.'
'Sama saja' is a common way to say 'the same thing'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn very casual speech, yes (e.g., 'kopi sama susu'). But 'dan' is better for learners.
No, you can also say 'kembali' or 'terima kasih kembali', but 'sama-sama' is the most common.
'Bareng' is more informal and specifically means 'together at the same time'.
Not directly, but 'Aku mau sama kamu' means 'I want to be with you', which is very romantic.
No, it is an adjective or a preposition. To make it a verb, you add prefixes like 'menyamakan'.
Use 'sama dengan' or 'sama seperti'.
It emphasizes that everyone is involved equally in the action.
Yes, Malay uses 'sama' in almost the exact same way.
Yes, informally. 'Bilang sama dia' means 'Tell [to] him'.
It means 'it's all the same' or 'it doesn't matter'.
Expressions liées
Sama-sama
specialized formYou're welcome / Together
Bersama
formalTogether / With
Mirip
similarAlike / Resembling
Dengan
synonymWith
Sama saja
builds onJust the same / No difference
Sesama
specialized formFellow (e.g., fellow humans)
Où l'utiliser
At a Restaurant
Waiter: Mau pesan apa?
Budi: Saya mau Nasi Goreng.
Ani: Saya sama saja!
Meeting a Friend
Siti: Kamu ke sini sama siapa?
Rudi: Sama pacar aku.
Siti: Oh, asyik!
Shopping for Clothes
Buyer: Ada ukuran yang sama tapi warna biru?
Seller: Sebentar saya cek ya.
Buyer: Terima kasih.
Polite Exchange
Person A: Ini bukunya, terima kasih ya.
Person B: Sama-sama!
In a Classroom
Teacher: Dua dikali tiga sama dengan berapa?
Student: Sama dengan enam, Pak!
Texting/WhatsApp
Friend A: Aduh, aku capek banget hari ini.
Friend B: Sama... aku juga 😭
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Sama sounds like 'Same'. If things are Sama, they are the Same!
Association visuelle
Imagine two people wearing the exact same bright yellow t-shirt, walking hand-in-hand. They are 'Sama' (identical) and they are 'Sama' (together).
Rhyme
Sama-sama, kita kerja bersama!
Story
Budi and Ani go to a cafe. Budi orders coffee. Ani says 'Sama!' because she wants the same. They sit 'sama-sama' (together) and when the waiter brings the coffee, they say 'Terima kasih' and the waiter says 'Sama-sama!'.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, 'mismo' covers 'same', but 'con' is used for 'with'. Indonesian is unique in using one word for both in casual speech. In English, we sometimes say 'I'm with you' to mean 'I agree/I am the same as you'.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'sama' in three different ways today: 1. Respond to a 'thank you'. 2. Tell someone who you are with. 3. Point out two things that are the same.
Review 'sama' as 'with' on day 1, 'sama' as 'same' on day 3, and 'sama-sama' on day 7.
Prononciation
Like the 'su' in 'sun' but with an 'a' sound.
Like the 'ma' in 'mama'.
Spectre de formalité
Saya pergi bersama ayah saya. (Family outing)
Saya pergi dengan ayah saya. (Family outing)
Aku pergi sama bokap. (Family outing)
Gue cabut ma bokap. (Family outing)
Derived from Proto-Austronesian *sama, meaning 'same' or 'equal'. It is a cognate with Malay 'sama' and Tagalog 'sama' (to accompany).
Le savais-tu ?
The word 'sama' is one of the few words that is almost identical in spelling and meaning across dozens of Indonesian regional languages.
Notes culturelles
The phrase 'sama-sama' reflects the communal nature of Indonesian society where kindness is seen as a shared experience.
“When a neighbor helps you, saying 'sama-sama' acknowledges the mutual bond.”
In Jakarta, 'sama' is often shortened to 'ma' in fast speech, reflecting the city's fast-paced, informal lifestyle.
“Loe ma siapa? (Who are you with?)”
Many Javanese speakers use 'sama' as a bridge word when they can't remember the specific formal Indonesian 'dengan'.
“Saya bicara sama beliau. (I spoke with him/her - using a formal pronoun with an informal connector).”
In Indonesian business, 'kerjasama' (working together/cooperation) is a sacred word, often used to start meetings.
“Terima kasih atas kerjasamanya. (Thank you for the cooperation.)”
Amorces de conversation
Apakah kita punya hobi yang sama?
Kamu biasanya pergi ke mall sama siapa?
Apa persamaan antara kota kamu dan Jakarta?
Erreurs courantes
Saya pergi dengan sama dia.
Saya pergi sama dia. / Saya pergi dengan dia.
L1 Interference
Wajah mereka mirip sama.
Wajah mereka sama. / Wajah mereka mirip.
L1 Interference
Using 'sama' in a formal letter to a government official.
Using 'dengan' or 'bersama'.
L1 Interference
Terima kasih! Sama.
Terima kasih! Sama-sama!
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Mismo / Con
Indonesian 'sama' bridges both concepts in casual speech.
Même / Avec
French requires distinct words for comparison vs. accompaniment.
Gleich / Mit
German grammar is much stricter about the roles of these words.
Onaji (同じ) / To (と)
Japanese has a specific response for 'you're welcome' (douitashimashite) that isn't related to 'same'.
Nafs (نفس) / Ma'a (مع)
The conceptual link between 'self' and 'same' is different from Indonesian's 'identity' root.
Yíyàng (一样) / Gēn (跟)
Chinese 'gēn' literally means 'to follow', while 'sama' means 'identical'.
Gatta (같다) / Wa/Gwa (와/과)
Korean uses 'gatta' in many idiomatic ways similar to 'sama' (e.g., 'it seems like').
Mesmo / Com
Portuguese 'mesmo' is also used for emphasis ('really'), which 'sama' is not.
Spotted in the Real World
“Dan... lupakanlah aku pelan-pelan, sama seperti dulu...”
A famous breakup song where the singer asks to be forgotten 'just like' (sama seperti) before.
“Kamu sama saja dengan mereka!”
Cinta is angry at Rangga and tells him he is 'just the same' as the others.
“Sama banget nder! Aku juga ngerasa gitu.”
A reply to a relatable post (nder is short for sender).
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'sama' when they mean 'similar'.
If it's 100% identical, use 'sama'. If it's 80% identical, use 'mirip'.
Both involve doing things 'together' in time.
Use 'sama' for people/objects, use 'sambil' for two actions happening at once.
Questions fréquentes (10)
In very casual speech, yes (e.g., 'kopi sama susu'). But 'dan' is better for learners.
grammar mechanicsNo, you can also say 'kembali' or 'terima kasih kembali', but 'sama-sama' is the most common.
basic understanding'Bareng' is more informal and specifically means 'together at the same time'.
comparisonsNot directly, but 'Aku mau sama kamu' means 'I want to be with you', which is very romantic.
usage contextsNo, it is an adjective or a preposition. To make it a verb, you add prefixes like 'menyamakan'.
grammar mechanicsUse 'sama dengan' or 'sama seperti'.
practical tipsIt emphasizes that everyone is involved equally in the action.
cultural usageYes, Malay uses 'sama' in almost the exact same way.
comparisonsYes, informally. 'Bilang sama dia' means 'Tell [to] him'.
usage contextsIt means 'it's all the same' or 'it doesn't matter'.
basic understanding
