Rahajeng Natal
Merry Christmas in Balinese is Rahajeng Natal.
The phrase Rahajeng Natal is used to express good wishes during the Christmas season.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Rahajeng can mean happy, safe or prosperous, while Natal is a loanword used to mean Christmas.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Rahajeng Natal is the standard, polite way to express these wishes.
When do people say it?
Because Bali is a predominantly Hindu society, this phrase is used primarily by the Christian minority or in formal and touristic contexts.
Did you know?
- While Rahajeng Natal is the polite form, speakers may use different registers of Balinese depending on the social caste of the person they are greeting.
- In Bali, a greeting like Rahajeng Natal is often accompanied by a slight bow or the pressing of palms together, a gesture known as 'Sembah'.
- The word Rahajeng originates from the Old Javanese word rahajĕṅ, which carried meanings of 'good', 'right' and 'beautiful'.
Examples in context
- Tiang ngucapang Rahajeng Natal.I say Merry Christmas.
- Rahajeng Natal, semeton sami!Merry Christmas, everyone!
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street in December.
- NyomanRahajeng Natal, Made!Merry Christmas, Made!
- MadeSuksma, Nyoman! Rahajeng Natal taler.Thank you, Nyoman! Merry Christmas as well.
- NyomanJagi lunga kija?Where are you going?
- MadeTiang jagi ke gereja.I am going to church.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rahajeng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
