How to Say "How Are You?" in Balinese

punapi gatra?

The Balinese phrase for "how are you?" is punapi gatra?

This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being.

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, punapi gatra? translates to "how news?"

punapi gatra? is the polite and formal way to ask how someone is. For a less formal manner, you can use Kabare?

In other parts of Bali, particularly in the central regions, you may hear the variation Kenken kabare?

When responding to inquiries about your well-being, the core adjective used is becik, which means "good" or "fine".

When someone asks you punapi gatra?, a common response is becik-becik manten, which means "fine, just fine" or "everything is fine."

While punapi gatra? is the formal standard, the informal kabare? is borrowed from the Malay word 'kabar', which originates from the Arabic word for 'news'.
In Bali, the greeting punapi gatra? is often accompanied by a slight bow and the palms pressed together in front of the chest, a gesture known as 'sembah'.
The Balinese concept of 'good' in becik extends beyond well-being to encompass moral correctness and spiritual balance.

Two friends meet at a market.

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