selamat datang
/səˌlamat ˈdataŋ/
The English word "welcome" is translated into Indonesian as selamat datang.
selamat datang is used as a greeting when someone arrives. You can also use it as an adjective to describe someone whose arrival is a cause of joy. To say "welcome back", use Selamat Datang Kembali. If you wish to invite someone to enter, you might say Mari, Silakan Masuk, which means "come on in, please".
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of selamat (safe/blessed) and datang (to come/arrive), literally meaning "safe arrival".
Which one should you use?
While selamat datang is the greeting itself, menyambut is the verb used to describe the action of welcoming or greeting someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When welcoming someone to a specific location, use the preposition di after the phrase, such as in Selamat Datang di (place name).
How do you pronounce it?
/səˌlamat ˈdataŋ/
Did you know?
- In Indonesian culture, selamat datang is often accompanied by a slight nod of the head or a hand placed over the heart to show sincerity.
- The word selamat is actually a loanword from Arabic, specifically from the plural form of the word for 'peace' or 'safety'.
- In some contexts, the word selamat is used in Indonesian to mean 'congratulations', such as in the phrase Selamat ulang tahun for 'Happy birthday'.
Examples in context
- Selamat datang di Kanada!Welcome to Canada!This sentence shows how to welcome someone to a specific country using selamat datang.Tatoeba #11251705 by Pacific, translation #1102990 by jamessilver
- Selamat datang di neraka.Welcome to hell.This sentence uses selamat datang in a dark or metaphorical context.Tatoeba #11653986 by Pacific, translation #6072636 by OsoHombre
- Selamat datang di neraka!Welcome to hell!This is a more emphatic version of the previous example using selamat datang.Tatoeba #11655400 by Pacific, translation #435946 by Clavain
- Selamat datang di perusahaan kami. Terima kasih telah datang.Welcome to our company. Thank you for coming.
- Selamat datang kembali! Lama tidak ketemu.Welcome back! Long time no see.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Indah welcomes Budi to her new house.
- IndahSelamat datang di rumah baru saya, Budi.Welcome to my new house, Budi.
- BudiTerima kasih, Indah.Thank you, Indah.
- IndahSilakan masuk.Please, come in.
- BudiRumahmu sangat bagus.Your house is very nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “welcome” translations and entries selamat datang, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries datang, selamat, selamat datang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
