Going on a trip to Indonesia? or enrolling as an international student in Indonesia? Afterwards, welcome to Indonesia! a place with various cuisines and cultures. You have access to a wide variety of travel destinations as an expat in Indonesia. After visiting Indonesia, you will have a lot of pleasant recollections.
Sadly, not all Indonesians are fluent in English, the language of the world. Therefore, as an expat in Indonesia, you must be able to communicate in Indonesian. However, don’t panic! You can see that learning Indonesian is not that difficult if you look at our article on how to learn the Indonesian language. Don’t be afraid to travel to Indonesia and use Indonesian! Don’t be reluctant to learn Indonesian! Don’t be scared to travel the nation while remembering some useful daily Indonesian phrases!
In this article, we’ll share helpful Indonesian words that every traveller should know. These phrases will benefit all situations, from basic greetings to ordering food and asking for directions. So, grab a notebook and a pen, and get ready to talk like a local in Indonesia!
The Importance of Learning the Local Language When Travelling
Learning the local language when travelling is essential. It goes beyond mere convenience and practicality; it is a way to connect with a destination’s culture, people, and soul. Speaking the local language allows for more meaningful interactions, deeper cultural understanding, and a more immersive travel experience. It shows respect for the locals and their way of life, fostering genuine connections and opening doors to unique opportunities.
Moreover, it enhances safety, facilitates navigation, and demonstrates a genuine interest in the place you are visiting. Even basic language skills can make a significant difference in your travels, making learning the local language an invaluable investment of time and effort. Here are some Indonesian phrases that you should master as an expat in Indonesia!
Daily Indonesian Phrases
| Good morning. Morning. | Selamat pagi. Pagi |
| Good afternoon. | Selamat siang |
| Good evening. | Selamat sore |
| Good night. | Selamat malam |
| Hello. Hi. | Halo. Hai. |
| Welcome. | Selamat datang |
| How are you? | Apa kabar? |
| Not too well, I’m afraid. | Tidak terlalu bagus |
| How are you getting on? | Bagaimana kabarmu? |
| Pretty fair, thank you. And what about you? | Cukup baik, dan Anda? |
| Fine, and how are you? | Baik, dan kamu? |
| Not too bad. | Tidak buruk |
| Is everything all right? | Apakah semua baik-baik saja? |
| Are you ok? | Apakah kamu baik-baik saja? |
| How are things? | Bagaimana kabarnya? |
| What’s new? | Apa kabar? |
| How is your family? | Bagaimana keluargamu? |
| How is your mother? | Bagaimana ibumu? |
| Are you o.k.? | Apakah kamu baik-baik saja? |
| Fine, thanks. | Baik, terimakasih |
| Very well. | Sangat baik |
| Not bad. | Tidak buruk |
| O.K. | Baik |
| Not so good. | Tiak terlalu baik |
| The same. | Sama-sama |
| A bit tired. | Sedikit lelah |
| I am busy. | Saya sibuk |
| I am not well. | Saya tidak sehat |
| I am happy/glad | Saya senang |
| I am sad | Saya sedih |
| I am hungry | Saya lapar |
| I am thirsty | Saya haus |
| I am sleepy | Sayar mengantuk |
| I am scared/afraid | Saya takut |
| I am confused | Saya bingung |
| I am bored | Saya bosan |
| I am sick/ill | Saya sakit |
| And you? | Dan kamu? |
| I am sorry to hear that. | Maaf |
| I am happy for you. | Saya senang denganmu |
| Is this clear? | Apakah sudah jelas? |
| Pardon? | Permisi? |
| I’m sorry, what did you say? | Maaf, apa yang Anda katakan? |
| I see | Saya mengerti |
| Am I speaking fast? | Apakah saya berbicara cepat? |
| Do you understand me? | Apakah Anda mengerti saya? |
| I don’t understand you. | Saya tidak mengerti Anda |
| I understand you. | Saya mengerti Anda |
| I quite understand you. | Saya cukup mengerti Anda |
| I understand you quite well. | Saya mengerti Anda cukup baik |
| I understand every word you say. | Saya mengerti setiap kata yang Anda ucapkan |
| Yes, perfectly well. | Ya, sangat baik |
| Speak louder, please. | Berbicaralah lebih keras |
| Please, speak slower. | Berbicaralah lebih pelan |
| I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch what you said. | Maaf, saya tidak mengerti apa yang Anda katakan |
| Write it down, please. | Tolong tuliskan |
| Translate it. | Terjemahkan |
| Please, say it again. | Tolong ulangi |
| How do you say that in English? | Bagaimana kata itu dalam bahasa Inggris? |
| We need an interpreter. | Kita butuh penerjemah |
| We don’t need an interpreter. | Kita tidak butuh penerjemah |
| I must be going. | Saya harus pergi |
| Good-bye. | Daag (daah) |
| See you soon. | Sampai jumpa lagi |
| So long. | Sampai jumpa |
| See you again. | Sampai jumpa lagi |
| See you later. | Sampai jumpa |
| Cheerio / Bye! | Daag! |
| Good luck! | Sukses! |
| Give my regards to.. | Salam untuk.. |
| I hope to see you soon. | Saya harap kita bertemu lain kali |
| I’ll call you later. | Saya akan meneleponmu |
| Have a comfortable journey! (good-bye) | Selamat jalan! |
| Keep well! | Sehat selalu! |
| Take care! | Hati-hati! |
| Till we meet again. | Sampai bertemu lagi (sampai jumpa lagi) |
| Write me. | Kabari aku |
| Here’s my address. | Ini alamat saya |
| Have a success! | Sukses! |
| Sweet dreams! | Mimpi indah |
| Be happy! | Bergembiralah |
Search for basic Indonesian phrases? Check out this article!
- Travelling to Indonesia? Learn These Useful Indonesian Basic Phrases For Any Travellers!
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Exploring Common Internet Slang in the Indonesian Language
If you plan to travel to Indonesia, we strongly encourage you to learn Indonesian phrases before your trip. Learning the local language will significantly enhance your experience and open doors to Indonesia’s rich culture and warm hospitality. Even basic knowledge of Indonesian can make a significant difference in your interactions and understanding of the country.
In conclusion, taking the time to learn Indonesian phrases before travelling to Indonesia is highly encouraged. It will enhance your communication, deepen your cultural understanding, promote meaningful connections, ensure safety, and add more enjoyment to your journey as an expat in Indonesia. So, grab a phrasebook or utilise language learning resources and embark on your Indonesian adventure with confidence and excitement!
Talk Like a Local: Must-Know Useful Indonesian Phrases for Every Traveller (FAQ)
1. What is essential to learning useful Indonesian phrases before visiting Indonesia?
Learning useful Indonesian phrases, especially when visiting Indonesia for the first time, is crucial. It will help you communicate with locals, understand the culture better and make your overall travel experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.
2. Can you give examples of useful Indonesian phrases every traveller should know?
Some of the most essential phrases that you should know as an expat in Indonesia are:
- Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam – Good morning/afternoon/evening/night
- Terima kasih – Thank you
- Tolong – Please
- Permisi – Excuse me
- Maaf – Sorry
- Saya tidak bisa Bahasa Indonesia – I can’t speak Indonesian
- Di mana kamar mandi? – Where is the bathroom?
- Berapa harganya? – How much is it?
- Saya lapar/sedang mencari restoran – I’m hungry/looking for a restaurant
- Sampai jumpa – Goodbye
3. How do you pronounce “Terima kasih” and “Sampai jumpa” correctly?
The correct pronunciation for “Terima kasih” is “tree-ma kah-see”, while “Sampai jumpa” is pronounced as “sahm-pie juhm-pah”.
4. Is it necessary to learn the basics of the Indonesian language?
No, it is not necessary to learn the language, but having basic knowledge of the Indonesian language can be very useful. It can help you understand directions, read signs, and communicate with locals better.
5. How do you greet locals properly?
The most common greeting in Indonesia is “Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam”, which means good morning/afternoon/evening/night. You can also add “Apa kabar?” which means How are you?
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