Language/Indonesian/Vocabulary/Bargaining-Strategies

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Indonesian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Bargaining Strategies

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Bargaining Strategies in Indonesian! Bargaining is an essential part of the shopping culture in Indonesia, and knowing how to navigate this process can enhance your experience significantly. Whether you’re at a bustling market in Bali or a local shop in Jakarta, understanding the language of bargaining can save you money and help you connect with the locals.

In this lesson, we will explore key vocabulary and phrases related to bargaining, strategies to negotiate effectively, and practical exercises to practice what you've learned. This lesson is structured for complete beginners, so don’t worry if you’re just starting out. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more comfortable engaging in bargaining conversations.

Importance of Bargaining in Indonesian Culture

Bargaining is not just a way to get a better price; it’s a cultural practice that reflects the social interactions and customs of Indonesia. Here are a few reasons why understanding bargaining is important:

• Cultural Insight: Bargaining gives you a deeper understanding of Indonesian social norms and values.

• Building Relationships: Engaging in friendly negotiation can foster a rapport with sellers, showcasing your respect for their trade.

• Practical Savings: Knowing how to bargain effectively can help you save money on your purchases.

• Fun Experience: It can be a lively and enjoyable part of shopping, filled with laughter and banter.

Key Vocabulary for Bargaining

Now, let’s dive into the essential vocabulary you need for bargaining. Below is a table of key phrases and their meanings:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
nawar	/na.war/	to bargain
tawar	/ta.war/	offer
seadanya	/se.a.dan.ya/	as is
terlalu mahal	/ter.la.lu ma.hal/	too expensive
bisa kurang?	/bi.sa ku.rang?/	can you lower it?
saya mau beli	/sa.ya mau be.li/	I want to buy
harga ini	/har.ga i.ni/	this price
berapa?	/be.ra.pa?/	how much?
saya tidak punya uang	/sa.ya ti.dak pu.nya u.wang/	I don’t have money
harganya terlalu tinggi	/har.ga.nya ter.la.lu tin.gi/	the price is too high
apakah bisa diskon?	/a.pa.kah bi.sa dis.kon?/	can I get a discount?
saya hanya melihat	/sa.ya han.ya me.li.hat/	I’m just looking
saya mau tawar	/sa.ya mau ta.war/	I want to bargain
itu terlalu mahal untuk saya	/i.tu ter.la.lu ma.hal un.tuk sa.ya/	that is too expensive for me
saya tawar Rp 50.000	/sa.ya ta.war 50.000/	I offer Rp 50,000
ayo kita tawar	/a.yo ki.ta ta.war/	let’s negotiate
saya tidak setuju	/sa.ya ti.dak se.tu.ju/	I do not agree
bisa kasih harga lebih baik?	/bi.sa ka.sih har.ga le.bih bai.k?/	can you give a better price?
saya butuh barang ini	/sa.ya bu.tuh ba.rang i.ni/	I need this item
deal?	/di.el?/	deal?

Effective Bargaining Strategies

Now that you are familiar with the vocabulary, let’s go over some strategies that can help you bargain effectively:

1. Start High: Begin with a higher price than what you’re willing to pay. This gives you room to negotiate downwards.

2. Be Polite and Friendly: Use polite language and maintain a friendly demeanor. A smile can go a long way!

3. Show Interest: Express genuine interest in the product, which can encourage the seller to be more flexible.

4. Use the Right Phrases: Incorporate the vocabulary we just learned to show that you’re making an effort to communicate in Indonesian.

5. Be Prepared to Walk Away: If the price is too high, don’t hesitate to walk away. Sometimes, this tactic can prompt the seller to offer you a better deal.

6. Know the Market Value: Research the typical prices for goods in the area before you start bargaining. This knowledge will empower your negotiation.

7. Stay Calm: Maintain your composure even if the negotiation gets intense. A calm approach often yields better results.

8. Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in your bargaining skills.

Practice Exercises

To help solidify your understanding, here are some exercises. Try these out and see how well you can apply what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Vocabulary Matching

Match the Indonesian phrases with their English translations.

Indonesian	English
nawar	a. I want to buy
harga ini	b. this price
terlalu mahal	c. too expensive
bisa kurang?	d. can you lower it?
saya mau tawar	e. I want to bargain

• Solution:

1. nawar - e

2. harga ini - b

3. terlalu mahal - c

4. bisa kurang? - d

5. saya mau tawar - a

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the provided vocabulary.

1. "Saya ingin _______ harga ini."

2. "Apakah _______ diskon?"

3. "Harganya _______ tinggi untuk saya."

• Solution:

1. tawar

2. bisa

3. terlalu

Exercise 3: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and take turns being the seller and the buyer. Use the vocabulary and phrases to negotiate a price for a fictional item.

• Solution:

Encourage students to use phrases like "Saya mau tawar" and "Bisa kurang?" during their role play.

Exercise 4: Scenario Practice

Imagine you are at a market. Write a dialogue where you are bargaining for a souvenir. Use at least five new phrases from the vocabulary list.

• Solution:

Example dialogue:

• Buyer: "Berapa harga ini?"

• Seller: "Rp 100.000."

• Buyer: "Terlalu mahal. Bisa kurang?"

• Seller: "Rp 80.000."

• Buyer: "Saya tawar Rp 50.000."

• Seller: "Rp 70.000, deal?"

Exercise 5: Listening Comprehension

Listen to a short audio clip of a bargaining scenario in Indonesian. Answer questions based on the dialogue.

• Solution:

Prepare questions such as:

1. What item is being sold?

2. What price does the seller first offer?

3. What is the final agreed price?

Exercise 6: Price Comparison

Research the prices of three items commonly sold in Indonesia. Write down the price and practice bargaining with those prices.

• Solution:

Encourage students to present their findings and practice bargaining using the researched prices.

Exercise 7: True or False

Read the statements below and decide whether they are true or false.

1. "Bargaining is uncommon in Indonesia."

2. "It is polite to smile while bargaining."

3. "You should always accept the first price offered."

• Solution:

1. False

2. True

3. False

Exercise 8: Create Your Own Dialogue

Write your own dialogue using at least eight phrases from the vocabulary list.

• Solution:

Students can share their dialogues in pairs or small groups for feedback.

Exercise 9: Price Negotiation Game

In groups, create a simple game where one person is the buyer, and the rest are sellers. Each seller must come up with a price, and the buyer has to negotiate.

• Solution:

Encourage creativity in pricing and negotiation tactics.

Exercise 10: Reflection

Write a short paragraph reflecting on what you learned about bargaining in Indonesian culture and how you plan to apply this knowledge.

• Solution:

Students share their reflections in class.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve made great strides in learning about bargaining strategies in Indonesian. Remember, practice is key to mastering these skills. As you continue your journey in learning the Indonesian language, don’t hesitate to use these phrases and strategies the next time you find yourself in a market or shop.

Keep practicing, and happy bargaining!

Table of Contents - Indonesian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pronouns and Greetings

• Personal Pronouns
• Greetings and Introductions

  ---

Basic Grammar

• Word Order
• Indonesian Nouns
• Verbs in Indonesian

  ---

Daily Life

• Basic Phrases
• Numbers and Time
• Days, Months, and Seasons

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Questions and Answers
• Negation and Affirmation

  ---

Indonesian Culture

• Indonesian Festivals
• Indonesian Food

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Transportation
• Directions

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Shopping and Bargaining

• Basic Shopping Phrases
• Bargaining Strategies

  ---

Indonesian Arts

• Indonesian Music
• Indonesian Dance

  ---

Modal Verbs

• Can and Must
• May and Should

  ---

Colors and Shapes

• Colors
• Shapes

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative
• Superlative

  ---

Indonesian Traditions

• Indonesian Weddings
• Indonesian Batik

  ---

Emergencies

• Medical Emergencies
• Natural Disasters

  ---

Indirect and Direct Speech

• Direct Speech
• Indirect Speech

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Job Titles
• Workplaces

  ---

Indonesian Holidays

• Indonesian Independence Day
• Idul Fitri

Sources

• EFL teacher's negotiation of meaning in Indonesian maritime ...

Other Lessons

• Time
• Family
• Feelings and Emotions
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Animals
• Asking Directions
• Adverbs in Indonesian
• Greetings
• Numbers
• Personal Pronouns

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