maalan
The Balinese phrase for "too expensive" is maalan.
maalan is used to describe an item or service that costs more money than is considered reasonable or affordable.
Did you know?
- When bargaining in a traditional Balinese market, saying maalan with a smile and a slight shake of the head is a standard part of the social ritual rather than a definitive rejection.
- Because Balinese has many social registers, a person of higher status might use a different, more refined version of the word to express the same sentiment than a commoner would.
- In some Balinese contexts, the prefix 'ma-' in maalan functions similarly to English prefixes that turn a noun into a state of being, denoting the possession of a quality.
Examples in context
- Maalan sajan.It is very expensive.
- Suksma, nanging maalan pisan.Thank you, but it is too expensive.
- Nika maalan gati.That is way too expensive.
Example conversation
Two friends are shopping at a local market.
- PutuPutu, tingalin tas puniki!Putu, look at this bag!
- PutuIh, maalan gati hargane.Oh, the price is too expensive.
- PutuKonden bisa tawar?Can it not be bargained?
- PutuKonden bisa, maalan pisan.It cannot, it is too expensive.
