Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Indonesian term or phrase:
lha dalah
English translation:
Goddammit!
Added to glossary by
Catherine Muir
Nov 11, 2011 08:35
12 yrs ago
Indonesian term
lha dalah
Indonesian to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
b. Jawa?
Two very rough characters are arguing loudly. One is a dukun who practices black magic/sorcery from Tangerang, who is Betawi, while the other is an ex-con who is Javanese. The Betawi has just called the Javanese a coward who has no balls. The Javanese comes back with, "“Lha dalah, bang Jiman. Sudah terlambat. Pendek saja, lu mau kasih, kagak?”
What is the English equivalent of 'dalah' in this context?
What is the English equivalent of 'dalah' in this context?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | What the hell ! |
Budi Suryadi-
|
| 4 +1 | Good grief |
ria ulfah ardhiyani
|
Proposed translations
2 days 22 hrs
Budi Suryadi-
Indonesia
Indonesia
Native in Indonesian
Works in field
Indonesia
Certified translator and interpreter
Native in: Indonesian
Works in: Indonesian to English, English to Indonesian
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
What the hell !
Considering the given context, perhaps the expression *Good grief!* would be too polite/refined.
SOmething a little stronger could fit the bill.
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Note added at 2 days22 hrs (2011-11-14 07:24:22 GMT)
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We, lha dalah ! is often used in dialogue, and the speaker could be someone like Semar, the lowly clown servant who happens to be one of the most powerful gods.
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Note added at 3 days2 hrs (2011-11-14 10:40:05 GMT)
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Just a few more alternatives to choose from:
Damn you / Holy Shit ! Goddamn !
SOmething a little stronger could fit the bill.
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Note added at 2 days22 hrs (2011-11-14 07:24:22 GMT)
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We, lha dalah ! is often used in dialogue, and the speaker could be someone like Semar, the lowly clown servant who happens to be one of the most powerful gods.
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Note added at 3 days2 hrs (2011-11-14 10:40:05 GMT)
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Just a few more alternatives to choose from:
Damn you / Holy Shit ! Goddamn !
Note from asker:
| Thanks, Budi. Given that he is about to kill 2 people in cold blood, I think he might use stronger language than 'What the hell', but it seems that 'Lha dalah' is fairly mild. What is the VERY WORST / MOST KASAR thing he could say that would fit with 'lha dalah'? |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I've settled on "Goddammit, Jiman. It's too late for that now." Notice the spelling, which is the slang alternative for "God damn it"."
+1
36 mins
ria ulfah ardhiyani
Australia
Australia
Native in Indonesian
Specializes in field
Australia
Indonesian & Javanese
Native in: Indonesian 
, Javanese
Works in: Indonesian to English, English to Indonesian, Javanese to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Good grief
"lha dalah" is actually an expression, and it is a single phrase, cannot be separated. Sometimes people use the longer form "weladalah", other variation is "ealah". 'lah' is actually coming from the word Allah. Javanese muslim usually expresses feelings with "Ya Allah". This then becomes various colloquies depends on who is speaking.
This is simply an expression upon what the Betawi said to the Javanese. In English, there are various ways of expressing this kind of feeling, from the rudest to the best euphemism. It can be "Oh my God"; "Oh, come on"; "What a", "Holy cow" etc.
It all depends on the nuance you are presenting in the translation.
In this sentence, the Javanese is quite polite by using "lha dalah." If he were very angry, he would use some animal names.
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Note added at 2 days23 hrs (2011-11-14 07:41:09 GMT)
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Something like "Asu" (dog) or "Celeng" (wild boar). These are considered very rude.
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Note added at 2 days23 hrs (2011-11-14 07:48:38 GMT)
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He may say "Asu, kowe!"
Kowe is Javanese for "you"
This is simply an expression upon what the Betawi said to the Javanese. In English, there are various ways of expressing this kind of feeling, from the rudest to the best euphemism. It can be "Oh my God"; "Oh, come on"; "What a", "Holy cow" etc.
It all depends on the nuance you are presenting in the translation.
In this sentence, the Javanese is quite polite by using "lha dalah." If he were very angry, he would use some animal names.
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Note added at 2 days23 hrs (2011-11-14 07:41:09 GMT)
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Something like "Asu" (dog) or "Celeng" (wild boar). These are considered very rude.
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Note added at 2 days23 hrs (2011-11-14 07:48:38 GMT)
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He may say "Asu, kowe!"
Kowe is Javanese for "you"
Note from asker:
| Thank you, Ria! |
| Dear Ria, in English 'good grief' is a very, very mild expression, something only Charlie Brown, the cartoon character, would say, hardly something a hardened ex-con would say. I think something much stronger is indicated here. |
| Ria, what animal names might he use? |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
: Yeah, any expression of exasperation and disgust will do.
12 hrs
|
|
thanks for further explanation, pak Erich :)
|
Discussion
However, if the context suggests the ex-con a rude person, may be "Damn" or "Damn it" or any variation of it will do.
(I think "F" word hasn't been invented in 19th century, cmiiw)