Selamat jalan
/səˌlamat ˈd͡ʒalan/
In Indonesian, 'have a safe trip' is expressed as Selamat jalan.
The phrase Selamat jalan is used to wish someone a good journey or a good trip. Other ways to express similar sentiments include Semoga perjalanan Anda menyenangkan to mean 'May your journey be enjoyable', Semoga selamat sampai tujuan to mean 'May you arrive safely at your destination' and Hati-hati di perjalanan which translates to 'Be careful on the journey'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Selamat jalan is composed of selamat, meaning 'safe' or 'blessed' and jalan, meaning 'way', 'path' or 'walk'.
Which one should you use?
Selamat jalan is used specifically when you are the one staying behind and wishing someone else a safe journey. It is important not to confuse it with Selamat datang, which means 'Welcome'.
How do you pronounce it?
/səˌlamat ˈdʒalan/
When do people say it?
When someone says Selamat jalan to you, the standard response is Terima kasih (Thank you).
Did you know?
- While Selamat jalan is used by the person staying behind, the traveler responds with Selamat tinggal, which literally means 'safe staying'.
- The word selamat is so versatile that it is used not only for safety and trips but also to say 'congratulations' as Selamat!
- In 1944, the Indonesian Language Commission formally ensured that jalan would displace the Dutch word weg to mean 'way' or 'road'.
Examples in context
- Selamat jalan, sampai jumpa lagi.Have a safe trip, see you again.
- Selamat jalan ke Jakarta, Dimas.Have a safe trip to Jakarta, Dimas.
Example conversation
Maya is seeing Dimas off at the train station.
- MayaKeretanya sudah datang, Dimas.The train has arrived, Dimas.
- DimasIya, aku berangkat sekarang ya.Yes, I am leaving now.
- MayaSelamat jalan, kabari aku kalau sudah sampai.Have a safe trip, let me know when you arrive.
- DimasTerima kasih, Maya.Thank you, Maya.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry selamat jalan.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jalan, selamat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
