Selamat Malam
Good Evening
This phrase is also used to say goodnight!
Discover how to say good evening and goodnight in Indonesian with "Selamat Malam." This versatile greeting covers the entire evening period after 6pm and doubles as a way to wish someone a good night in Bahasa Indonesia.
💬Example Sentences
Selamat malam, selamat tidur!
Good night, sleep well!
Selamat malam, Pak. Terima kasih atas makan malamnya.
Good evening, Sir. Thank you for the dinner.
Selamat malam, sampai besok!
Good night, see you tomorrow!
🏭Cultural Context
Unlike English, which distinguishes between "good evening" (arrival) and "goodnight" (departure), Indonesian uses "Selamat Malam" for both. Evening is a vibrant time in Indonesia, especially in cities where night markets (pasar malam) come alive with food, music, and shopping. In many Indonesian households, evenings are family time, often spent watching television together or chatting on the front porch. When leaving someone's home at night, you would say "Selamat Malam" as a farewell, and it carries the warmth of wishing them safety through the night.