Ngareuah-reuah Basa Sunda: Sundanese Terms vs. Their Common Misinterpretations
The Sundanese language has many unique words and terms that are often misunderstood, both by non-Sundanese speakers and even by native Sundanese people who may not be deeply familiar with their regional language. Sometimes, these misunderstandings lead to funny and confusing situations. Let’s take a look at some Sundanese terms that are frequently misinterpreted!
1. Sundanese Words That Are Often Misunderstood
✅ “Hese” (Sundanese: difficult)
❌ Often mistaken for: “Smelly” (which is actually “beuweung”)
🤣 “Aduh, ieu mah hese pisan!” — Some might think it means something smells bad, but it actually means something is difficult, like an exam!
✅ “Kumaha” (Sundanese: how)
❌ Mistaken for: “Why”
🤣 “Kumaha damang?” — Sometimes answered with, “I’m fine, not sick!” even though it means “How are you?”
✅ “Bulan” (Sundanese: star)
❌ Mistaken for: The moon in Indonesian
🤣 “Katingali bulan!” — Some might think it means “Look at the moon!” when it actually refers to a star in the sky!
2. Sundanese Terms with Unexpected Meanings
✅ “Kopral” (Sundanese: indifferent, careless)
❌ Mistaken for: A military rank (Corporal)
🤣 “Ah, si Udin mah kopral pisan!” — Sounds like he is a war veteran, but it actually means he doesn’t care much!
✅ “Kored” (Sundanese: frugal)
❌ Mistaken for: A skin disease (scabies)
🤣 “Si Encep mah kored pisan” — Some might think he has skin issues, but it actually means he is very stingy!
✅ “Kiceup” (Sundanese: blink of an eye)
❌ Mistaken for: A type of chirping sound
🤣 “Kuring ngan sakiceup wae” — People might be confused, but it actually means “I was only there for a moment.”
3. Sundanese Phrases That Confuse Non-Sundanese Speakers
🟢 “Duh, bageur pisan maneh!”
🔹 Sundanese meaning: You are very kind!
🔸 Common misinterpretation: That you are “bagar” (rowdy or aggressive)!
🟢 “Ulah sirik atuh, tong majaran!”
🔹 Sundanese meaning: Don’t be jealous, don’t talk negatively about others.
🔸 Some might think it refers to “mahar” (dowry in a wedding).
Conclusion
Exploring Sundanese language intricacies is fun! Many words, when misunderstood, can lead to hilarious situations. Have you ever encountered a funny misunderstanding due to a Sundanese term? Share your experience in the comments!
Read More:
“Mitembeyan: The Mysterious Farming Ritual of West Java That Still Exists!”
References:
- Sundanese Linguistics and Cultural Studies
- Traditional Sundanese Language Dictionary
- Local Sundanese Community Discussions
