Malay · Greetings & Phrases
selamat petang
Good afternoon/evening
Beginnerphrase
Definition
A greeting used in the late afternoon and early evening.
Example
Selamat petang, cikgu!
Good afternoon, teacher!
Etymology
'Selamat petang' translates literally to 'safe evening', with 'selamat' meaning 'well' and 'petang' referring to the time of day. The phrase has been part of Malay greetings for generations, embodying a sense of goodwill.
How & Where It’s Used
'Selamat petang' is used during the late afternoon and early evening hours, mainly in formal situations, in both spoken and written language. Its use is consistent across Malaysia and Indonesia.