157. The following remarks on polite phrases will be found
useful.
When making a request, the words minta, ask, choba, try, and tolong, help, are frequently added for politeness’ sake, as we use the word “please,” thus,
tuan tolong ranchongkan kalam sahya ini, please cut ny pen, sir.
choba ikatkan bungkus ini, please tie up this parcel.
minta dawat, some ink, please.
158. Sila, the first meaning of which is to sit cross-legged, has come to mean to invite to sit down, and hence to invite generally. It is also used very much in the same way as the English word “please,” sometimes in the form silakan as well as sila.
The following examples will explain the use of these words.
sila tuan masok, please come in, sir.
sila datang k-rumah sahya, please come to my house.
159. The ordinary salutation between Europeans and natives when meeting or when taking leave of each other is the word tabek, which has probably come into the Malay language through the Javanese. Amongst Malays a more common greeting when they meet is “Apa khabar,” the reply to which is, “Khabar baik.” When taking leave they exchange the salutations “Slamat jalan,” “go in peace” and “slamat tinggal,” “remain in peace.” Malays who desire to affect the religious style of address make use of the Arabic “as-salam ‘alaik (sing.) or ‘alaikum (plur.)” “peace be with you,” the reply to which may be, “Wa ‘alaik (or ‘alaikum) salam,” “and to you be peace.”
160. Thanks are expressed by the words trima kaseh, or banyak trima kaseh, an abbreviation for sahya sudah banyak trima kaseh, I have received a great favour.
THE USE OF “BHARU.”
161. The Malay word bharu, when used as an adverb, some- times has the meaning, “then and not till then.” This idiomatic use of the word can be understood from the following examples:
di-bangatkan pula oleh hamba raja itu, bharu-lah ia berkain,
lit: he was hastened again by the king's retainers, then and not till then he dressed; i.e., he did not dress until he was hastened again by the king's retainers.
