Ways to say it
| Indonesian | IPA |
|---|---|
| hai | /haɪ/ |
| salam | /ˈsalam/ |
Indonesian speakers use different words depending on whether they are using a direct greeting or referring to a greeting as a noun. While hai functions as a direct greeting, salam is used more as a noun meaning "greeting" or "regards". For time-specific greetings, you can use Selamat pagi (Good morning) from around 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Selamat siang (Good afternoon) from around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Selamat sore in the late afternoon from around 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or Selamat malam (Good evening / Goodnight) after 6 p.m.
Which one should you use?
hai is an informal greeting similar to the English "hi", whereas salam is used as a noun to mean "greeting" or "regards" rather than being a direct verbal greeting like "hello". You might also encounter Halo, which means "Hello".
How do you pronounce it?
/haɪ/
Did you know?
- In Indonesian, salam is not just a greeting but also the name of the Indian bay leaf used in cooking.
- In a financial context, salam can refer to a 'futures contract' or a forward transaction.
- The informal greeting hai is a relatively modern addition to the language, gaining widespread popularity only since the digital age in the 1980s.
Examples in context
- Tolong sampaikan salamku kepadanya.Please say hello to her.This sentence is useful for learning how to use the noun salam to pass along regards.Tatoeba #365998 by hayabusa_future, translation #308827 by CK
- Hai, apa kabar?Hi, how are you?
- Hai, selamat pagi!Hi, good morning!
Example conversation
Dimas and Putri meet at a cafe.
- DimasHai, Putri!Hi, Putri!
- PutriHai, Dimas!Hi, Dimas!
- DimasKamu sedang apa di sini?What are you doing here?
- PutriAku sedang menunggu teman.I am waiting for a friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries hai, salam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hai, salam, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
