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- Topic: Indonesian >
- "Waalaikumsalam."
91 Comments
507
Bob, I am not Muslim but I often give this greeting to those I can identify as Muslims. Without fail, I get a huge smile and a response of Aleikumsalaam in return! I will continue to say it!
Well, good for you then. But let's not generalize, shall we? When you greet Muslims that way, and they know you are not Muslim, they may also feel offended by that, because it's like pretending that you are who you really aren't in order to buy their acceptance. Anyway, since this is a religious thing, and highly cultural, I'm also with people who say that this shouldn't be in the basic course.
I am muslim, and I agree, you guys came here to learn indonesian not Arabic, because it is an arabic sentence, and even the translate of it is wrong. but what Cloudsdale4ever said is not true, we don't feel like anyone pretending any thing if he said that, it is just meaning peace to you even non muslims arabics use it. sorry to talk out of context
Hey guys, saya muslim dan native speaker bahasa Indonesia. Saat pertama kali bertemu native tidak mengucapkan "Waalaikumsalam" tapi "Assalamualaikum" yang artinya "peace be upon you". Awalan huruf "Wa--" artinya "you too". Jika Anda non muslim dan tidak tahu harus menjawab apa, Anda cukup balas dengan tersenyum saja kepada kita :)
Selamat belajar.
Everyone can say "wa alaikum salam" in response to "assalamu alaikum", but in Indonesia, the greetings are only common among muslims.
I think it is not awkward if you make this response, if someone says "Assalamu alaikum" to you, generally that will be a muslim. He or she will usually appreciate that response.
I think it would be best, if duolingo teaches the common language, that is generally applicable. There are very many Arabic words that are totally common, like masjid, doa, hukum, ajaib, salam, dunia, etc. etc.
Teaching people expressions they are not expected to use is not a good idea.
744
This word is pretty misleading. Many Indonesians aren't Muslim, you definitely would not use this to greet non-Muslims.
Agree with other comments. Please flag this as Arabic, not bahasa Indonesia, and as a response offered from one Muslim in response to their greeting. If I said this to my Balinese family, who are Hindu, they would be offended and it is just not a term used outside the context of two Muslims greeting each other.
You do know that Bahasa just means language? You have to add the actual language. Bahasa Inggris is English, Bahasa Indonesia is Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu is Malay language, Bahasa Cina is Chinese language.
However, you are right. Few people in North Sulawesi would say that. It's uncommon between Balinese people. It's religion specific, but common in major population centres.
"Wa'alaykumus salam" thats how we Muslims usually spell that, hence theirs a pecular letter in there that Arabs use. You'll pronounce it wrong if you miss-spell it. And that is a kind of greetings we do, but it doesnt litteraly means "Greetings to you too". Instead it means beautifuler than that, it means "Peace be with you too".⚘
So Assalaamu 'alaykum.⚘⚘⚘
327
Wow, so much drama in this thread. I certainly don't mind learning this, but from what I gather the usage is nothing like “Greetings” in English, right? Can we get some of the usual ways this particular greeting is rendered in English as acceptable answers? Assalamualaikum accepts “peace be upon you”, but here for waalaikumsalam I tried “and upon you be peace” and “and peace be upon you too” and neither was accepted.
1142
if someone's religion is different.
..or if you don't know about the person at all, much less their religion.
507
I have been greeting my Muslim friends with this for some time. After reading some comments from non Muslims saying we shouldn't do it, I put it to those friends. They have all expressed delight as they saw it as a recognition and compliment to their religion and culture and asked me to continue! We are wishing peace for them, how can this be wrong? My greetings have always been welcomed with smiles and the response "Aleicum Salaam!" I will continue to do it!
306
Oh c'mon, not all the time when people met in Indonesia say this kind of greetings, its uncomfortable to learn, mostly say hello etc