Indonesian/Q&A

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Re: Note: The word "tinggal" is a tricky word. If it is used alone (not conjugated), it means to live or to stay. However, if you conjugate it, it means to leave or to die. Many people got confused on this. Think of it in Indonesian culture perspective. Many indigenous Indonesian believe that when people die, their soul is here to stay.

Correction: I happened to be an Indonesian language teacher. I want to correct the above >>Many indigenous Indonesian believe that when people die, their soul is here to stay.>> This is not why the word "meninggal" (to die) was created. The word "meninggal" which means "to die," was created because when one dies, he or she departs from this world. Therefore the correct word for "to die" in Indonesian is "meninggal dunia." Literally it means "to depart from the world." The colloquial word or slang word for this is "meninggal."

From M.Grace Tahapary Campbell Indonesian language teacher, translator, interpreter Foreign Language Training Center Central Texas College Fort Lewis, Washington