cicing
The English word "dog" is translated into Balinese as cicing. Wiktionary also lists asu.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Balinese |
|---|
| cicing |
| asu |
The term is used to refer to the animal.
Which one should you use?
While cicing is the standard word for a dog, asu is a vulgar term used as an insult or a swear word.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cicing is the neutral, everyday term used to refer to the animal.
Did you know?
- In Bali, the word asu is so potent as an insult that using it in anger can lead to severe social conflict or legal disputes involving 'honor' in local village customs.
- The vulgar term asu is a linguistic fossil, descending from the Proto-Austronesian word *asu used by ancestors across the Pacific thousands of years ago.
- Even though asu is a common word for 'dog' in other Indonesian languages, in Balinese, it is strictly avoided in polite society due to its derogatory weight.
Examples in context
- Icang ngelah cicing.I have a dog.This sentence is useful for showing how to express possession of the word cicing.Tatoeba #4786371 by Joseagush, translation #378502 by CK
- Anjing punika ramah.The dog is friendly.
- Cicing entu masi macelep.The dog is also entering.
- Tiang ningalin cicing melaib.I saw a dog running.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a village.
- MadeMade, tingalin cicinge ento!Made, look at that dog!
- MadeIh, lucu gati cicinge.Oh, the dog is very cute.
- MadeSapa ane ngelah cicinge?Who owns the dog?
- MadeTusing nawang icang.I don't know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries cicing, asu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
