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How to Say Namaste in Bahasa – Definition – Origins

Many of you maybe already familiar with the word “namaste”. Several of you may also already know that this word come from Hindi Language. This word is well known because it is said at the end of every yoga class. This word is the common greeting in yoga.

However, the word “namaste” has a wider and deeper meaning that just a greeting in yoga. It can be said equivalent with greetings, valediction, or “hello”, but it is also means respect. When people say namaste, they usually also slightly bow and press their hands together close to the chest, with the palms touching and fingers pointing upwards. Namaste can be said with the gesture and without the gesture. It can also given without the word, just the gesture.

The word namaste is derived from Sanskrit as a combination from the word namah and te. The word namah means an expression of worship, adoration, bow, or salutation. The word te means to you. As a result, the literal translation of the word namaste is “bowing to you”. The spiritual implied meaning of namaste can be said as “I bow to the divine in you”.

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Several Possible Translation of Namaste in Bahasa

On the explanation above, we already discussed about literal and implied meaning of namaste in English. We will discuss about several possible translation of namaste in Bahasa below.

The literal translation of namaste in English, bowing to you, can be translated as “tunduk kepadamu”, “hormat kepadamu”, “menghargaimu”. It can be said that namaste is equivalent with “salam sejahtera” in Bahasa.

In yoga classes, Indonesian people can use this word “namaste” as it is, without being translated. This word and the greetings are a universal language that can be said without physical contact. Everybody can actually use this word for a proper greeting. People that do yoga are already familiar with the word and its use.

How To Greet People in Bahasa

As one of a form of greetings, namaste can also be said equivalent with hello in English, or “halo” in Indonesia. Indonesian people usually use the word “halo” to greet people. This word can be used both in formal and informal occasions. “Ha” in halo is pronounced similar with “ha” in halt. “Lo” in halo is pronounced similar with “lo” in long. However, Indonesian people usually greet not with namaste gesture. They usually greet with handshake, waving hands, smile, etc.

Another form of “halo” in Bahasa is “hai”. The word “hai” is considered more informal than “halo”, so people usually use it in informal occasion only. It is usually said between friends, as a friendly greeting. This word is equivalent to “hi” in English.  

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Several Use of Namaste in Bahasa

Below are several use of namaste in Bahasa and several greetings that can be said using Bahasa:

  • Namaste (use it as it is, pronounced similar with nuhm-uh-stay)
  • Halo, selamat pagi.

Hello, good morning.

  • Hai! Apa kabar?

Hi! How are you doing?

That’s all about how to say Namaste in Bahasa. Thank you for reading.