Annoying expression in Indonesian?

[Banana72]

What is the English equivalent of 'kan' in Indonesian? I don't know why but that word irritates the hell out of me lately, particularly in the professional/office setting. Granted occasionally the use is warranted, but many times, even when I just ask to confirm something or just to ask a question...like "Siapa saja yang bertugas di etc..etc...perlu xxx orang ya, apa cukup, etc". Instead of answering with "Yang bertugas, xxx,xxx pak, 5 org cukup, etc" they would answer with "Kan yg bertugas disana si xxx...ngak cukup kalau orgnya sedikit"..

Too tired to type up other examples, but I don't know..something about that 'kan' just doesn't have the right tone but i don't know what the similar expression in English is. It seems that the meaning changes from phrase to phrase but the underlying meaning feels the same to me.

 

[Nimbus]

The Indonesian 'kan' is used mostly as a tag question, the English equivalent would be is it / isn't it / does it / doesn't it, etc.

 

[nosox]

or as they say in Canada "Eh" or in Dundee "Eh no"

 

[Davita]

or as they say in Canada "Eh" or in Dundee "Eh no"

I'm a Canadian citizen now but born in Dundee Royal Infirmary in June1937 and went to the Morgan Academy there for schooling....and I 'resemble' your comment.
But I also worked in Singapore for a few years "Ok Lah" and later In Hong Kong "Buy me dlink?"

 

[vocalneal]

or as they say in Canada "Eh" or in Dundee "Eh no"

 

[snpark]

"right?"
i guess closest imho would be like saying, wow that trump guy is a total dickhead, right?

or thats what ive been told (not about trump!)

its one of those funny words that has 1001 meanings here depending on who explains it to you, right?

I am always quizzed when people are whatsapp me lines and lines, i have a habit of replying "ok" after each one, to show i am listening / reading
i am then asked why did i say "ok" "what's ok?" and i have to say its just a european thing to let you know i am there and still listening, like you would on a phone call - otherwise you curhat for 10 mins and realise the phone was cut 9 mins earlier

or when they call me to sell me insurance and start a 3 min sales pitch without even letting me say anything, i wait for them to finish then say "do you speak english"
of course they then reply in fluent english, sorry pak i don't speak english
the irony

 

[Vanhelsing]

Botak bule is an expression that annoys me, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

 

[Anglian]

I hate it when people end every sentence with, “You know wot I mean”
Generally I don’t

 

[Banana72]

I hate it when people end every sentence with, “You know wot I mean”
Generally I don’t

I know what you mean!!

 

[Anglian]

I know what you mean!!

I know you know what I mean, Right

 

[Nimbus]

As a point of interest, 'kan' is originally 'bukan', a word that you all know. In this sense, saying "enak kan?" is similar to "delicious, no?". Depending on the tone, it can also mean "I told you so".

However, when it's used in the beginning of the sentence, it means something like 'because'.

Berat kan? = It's heavy, I told you.
Kan berat = because it's heavy

 

[rabbit_39]

However, when it's used in the beginning of the sentence, it means something like 'because'.

Berat kan? = It's heavy, I told you.
Kan berat = because it's heavy

I believe the subtle difference here is not it's use in place of "because". It is the prevalent use when one wants to make an excuse for their mistakes

This is the tone and the typical use that annoys the fudge out of me. Even people who have worked with me for a while and knows I don't need apologies and excuses, just effort and progress still want to make excuses with "Kan ...." Especially with a certain time of voice that already indicates they're about to make an excuse.

 

[Nimbus]

I believe the subtle difference here is not it's use in place of "because". It is the prevalent use when one wants to make an excuse for their mistakes

This is the tone and the typical use that annoys the fudge out of me. Even people who have worked with me for a while and knows I don't need apologies and excuses, just effort and progress still want to make excuses with "Kan ...." Especially with a certain time of voice that already indicates they're about to make an excuse.

People use 'kan' in the beginning as a plea, so you know an excuse is coming. There are valid excuses, but unfortunately a lot of them aren't.

 

[Scooterindo]

Botak bule is an expression that annoys me, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

Annoys me to because it should be bule botak

 

[Supir Angkot]

Annoys me to because it should be bule botak

It could be botox bule, like a high maintenance bule?

 

[rabbit_39]

People use 'kan' in the beginning as a plea, so you know an excuse is coming. There are valid excuses, but unfortunately a lot of them aren't.

Nah... The only valid thing is how you did the problem. The excuse is only good to learn from, and that comes later after fixing the problem.

 

[Nimbus]

Nah... The only valid thing is how you did the problem. The excuse is only good to learn from, and that comes later after fixing the problem.

It's not always used in a serious context. Say you're visiting somebody's house and the host offers some cookies or finger food, as usual. You just finished lunch an hour ago.

Kok nggak dimakan kuenya?
Kan barusan makan siang, masih kenyang.

 

[Zavia]

I believe the subtle difference here is not it's use in place of "because". It is the prevalent use when one wants to make an excuse for their mistakes

This is the tone and the typical use that annoys the fudge out of me. Even people who have worked with me for a while and knows I don't need apologies and excuses, just effort and progress still want to make excuses with "Kan ...." Especially with a certain time of voice that already indicates they're about to make an excuse.

Don't be too quick to always brush off excuses and apologies, its an important cultural thing here I believe. I would listen to my staff speak about it, then ask myself three things. A) is it relevant/unavoidable B) will it happen again and whats the mitigation C) whats being done to get to the conclusion I/we wanted in the first place inspite of this.

And then I'll pump em with questions to see their answers for A B and C. Woe be to the person who tried rambling an illogical or not well-thought excuse which is either irrelavant or avoidable. If they hand me the ammo, i will shoot em with it.
Most learn to not give stupid excuses and apologies, just straight up say they made a mistake and they will do yadayada to solve the problem by xx time/date. But at the same time, and this is the point of the exercise, I am seemed to be reasonable, will listen, not to be tried to lie to, and if it is legitimate I will hear them out and symphatise. The last thing I need is for them to hide shit they did and A and B is not addressed cos eventually I will have to deal with it when it explodes.

 

[jstar]

In this sense, saying "enak kan?" is similar to "delicious, no?". Depending on the tone, it can also mean "I told you so".

I also heard it as in a reaction on somebody taking advantage of the person.

 

[jstar]

But I also worked in Singapore for a few years "Ok Lah"

Luckily the whole trendy ‘Lah’ Is disappearing somewhat in INDONESIA.

The betawi youngsters avoid Elu and Gue now and use I and You, which is weird and somewhat annoying.

Pelakor is one of the newer popular abbreviations, it means perebut laki orang. Or Valakor. From Conjuring 2. It’s more or less a woman who steals someone’s husband. A wife stealer is a Pebinor. Hell to keep up.