Comment ça va ? – Apa kabar ?
« Comment ça va ? » is a common expression in French which translates to « How are you? » in English. This question is used in various situations and is an essential part of French greetings. Similarly, « Apa kabar? » is an Indonesian greeting that means « How are you? » Understanding how to use these expressions is essential for communication when travelling to French or Indonesian-speaking countries.
Les différences culturelles dans les salutations
In France, greetings play a significant role in daily life and are essential to build a good relationship with others. The first thing one should know is that it is customary to greet someone with « Bonjour » (Good Morning/Afternoon) or « Bonsoir » (Good Evening) depending on the time of day. It can be considered rude if you do not address someone properly. When greeting someone, you can say « Comment ça va? » to ask how they are doing. It is also common to kiss on the cheeks (la bise) to greet someone you are familiar with, although this is becoming less frequent due to the COVID pandemic.
On the other hand, in Indonesia, greetings are also essential but are less formal than in France. People usually greet each other with « Apa kabar? » which means « How are you? » or « Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam » (Good morning/afternoon/evening). Indonesians are known for their warm hospitality, and often after a greeting, they will offer food or tea as a sign of welcoming.
Comment répondre à « Comment ça va ? »
In France, the most common response to « Comment ça va? » is « Ça va bien, merci » (I’m doing well, thank you). Other possible answers may include « ça va pas mal » (not bad) or « ça pourrait être mieux » (It could be better). However, it is important to note that if someone answers with « bof » or « pas terrible » (not great), it may be an invitation to discuss further.
In Indonesia, when someone greets you with « Apa kabar? » the most common response is « Kabar baik » (I’m doing good), although Indonesians may also say « Biasa saja » (Just okay) or « Sedang sibuk » (I’m busy). Indonesians are also friendly and may ask more questions about your well-being to show interest and care.
Utilisation de « Apa kabar ? » en Indonésie
In Indonesia, « Apa kabar? » is a versatile expression that can be used in many situations, not just as a greeting. People may ask « Apa kabar? » to show concern or check-in with someone they have not seen for a while. In addition, « Apa kabar? » can be used as a conversation starter or even to express surprise or disbelief.
Overall, understanding the cultural differences in greetings is important to avoid misunderstandings and to show respect when travelling to other countries. Whether it is « Comment ça va? » in France or « Apa kabar? » in Indonesia, taking the time to learn and use these expressions can help make new connections and friendships.
In conclusion, greetings are an essential part of communication and culture in different countries. « Comment ça va? » and « Apa kabar? » are two examples of how people show concern for each other’s well-being. By understanding the nuances and cultural differences in greetings, we can build stronger relationships and show respect to the people we encounter.