Speak Indonesian Like a Sundanese: sok

November 3, 2015 • Random

There is an Indonesian term sok which means berlagak (show off, boast). But don’t confuse that sok with sok we are going to discuss now. The word sok used in Sundanese dialect comes from Sundanese language, which has a very different meanings.

Then what is Indonesian sok in Sundanese? It’s légék.

1. silakan (please)

While there are a few meanings of sok, when someone says sok it usually literally synonymous to silakan (please). It is placed directly before verb.

Formula

sok + (verb)

Example

Informal Sundanese Dialect Meaning
Silakan duduk. Silakan duduk. Sok duduk. Please be seated.
A: Bolehkah saya makan?
B: Silakan.
A: Boleh makan?
B: Silakan.
A: Boleh makan?
B: Sok aja.
A: Can I eat?
B: Yes.

2. To disagree/forbid sarcastically

When you ask whether you can borrow your neighboor’s land mower, and she said sok. But you are wondering why she became very angry when you take the mower. That sok might not meant OK like described in #1 above. It could be the opposite.

This kind of sok is usually expressed when the speaker is in bad terms with the other person. To differentiate, pay attention to how they express the word. Whether they say it with a smile, or with a scary face.

Example

Informal Sundanese Dialect Meaning
A: Bolehkah saya makan?
B: Tidak!
A: Boleh makan?
B: Nggak!
A: Boleh makan?
B: Sok aja!
A: Can I eat?
B: No!

3. Often

Another use of sok is to indicate frequency.

Informal Sundanese Dialect Meaning
Saya sering makan pisang. Saya mah suka makan pisang. Saya mah sok makan pisang. I often eat banana.
Dia memang sering ikut-ikutan. Dia emang suka ikut-ikutan. Dia mah sok ikut-ikutan. He likes to follow like that.
Dia memang sering berlaku seperti itu. Dia emang suka begitu. Dia mah sok kitu. He is usually like that.

2 responses to “Speak Indonesian Like a Sundanese: sok”

  1. […] that you have learned sok and atuh, these three words can be added together to make sure the person you are asking to […]

  2. […] about words which are often used by Sundanese people when speaking Indonesian. Three of which are sok, atuh, and […]