Panas & Pedas

When you come across these words in Indonesia or Malaysia, it is worth the effort to understand their difference & meaning.

Both mean hot but with quite distinct and important differences. One means high temperature, the other spicy.

The Indonesian & Malay word for water is air, so if you see a sign for Air Panas you can be sure there is a hot spring nearby.

It could be embarrassing to ask for directions to the spicy spring.

If you are looking at a food item in a store, or reading a menu and see Pedas, rest assured the product or dish will be spicy.

The Indonesians & Malays are known for their use Chilli, so it would behove you to know the difference.

Image: C. D. Solum

Knowledge of the words is useful, but remembering which is which can be difficult. One way to remember is to break down the word into its component parts, or meanings.

Pedas: ped - from the Latin for foot. as - the Greek for bum.

So remember, hot spicy food will give you a kick up the bum later.

Panas: pan - is from the French meaning a cooking implement. as - the Greek for bum.

So remember, if whacked on the bum with a pan the affected area will become hot.

I hope this has been of some use.