Loh, Mah, Yah and Yuk
Loh
Meaning and Application : The word ‘loh’ derives from Javanese ‘lho’. Before a statement it is an expression of surprise at what has been said. Occurring after a word it is emphasizes the word and asserts that it is true, it implies the meaning of ” .. you know”.
Synonym: Many times it’s written ‘lho’ in Indonesian publications.
| Lho! kenapa belum dikerjain? Tinggal di Indonesia ternyata enak lho. Besok ada rapat jam 9 pagi. Jangan lupa lho! Gue seneng lho tinggal di Bandung. Gue nggak mau lho kalo disuruh nyanyi. |
What? Why haven’t you done this? It’s good to live in Indonesia(you know). There is a 9 AM meeting tomorrow, (make sure that) you don’t forget! Ah! I love living in Bandung. I want you to know that I will decline if anybody ask me to sing. |
Mah
Meaning: The word ‘mah’ derives from Sundanese. It is not frequently used. It acts to mildly stress or emphasize a word or statement.
Synonym: sih
| Gue sih/mah nggak mau kalo disuruh nyanyi. Kalo dipikir pikir mah/sih harganya murah sebenernya. |
I will decline if anybody ask me to sing. Come to think of it the price is actually cheap. |
Yah
Meaning and Application: Literally it means ‘yes’. It is used as a discourse marker in a number of positions and has a considerable range of meanings:
- It can follow a statement, turning it into a question and acting as a tag, meaning ‘isn’t it?; do you?; is that so?’;
- It is used in combination with a question word as a stalling device;
- It can be used as an intimacy device when information is given;
- It can be used with apologies, acting as a softener and indicating a hope that the listener will consent;
- In imperative it acts as softener so that the order isn’t felt to be a strong command.
Synonym: ya
| Semua orang suka nasi goreng ya? Dia udah punya cewek, ya? Makanan ini enak yah? Lagi makan ya?(asking the person who is actually eating) Nyokap-bokap gue tuh …hmm … gimana yah? Maaf ya .. Tolong bawain tas saya ya .. |
Everybody loves fried rice, don’t they? He’s got a girlfriend, do you think? This food is delicious, isn’t it? Are eating? This parents of mine are … hmm .. how would I describe them? Sorry, eh Take my bag please .. |
Yuk
Meaning: come on, let’s go
Synonym: ayo, mari(in formal Indonesian)
Application: It urges the listener to do something together with the speaker.
| Makan yuk! Yuk! |
Let’s eat! Come on! |
*) Reference: Colloquial Jakartan Indonesian by James Neil Sneddon, 2006