Indonesian Phrases You Need To Know Before Traveling To Indonesia

Blog
12 June 2023
By Sarah Angela Almaden
Tropical Indonesia Scene
Unsplash: Nick Fewings

When you travel to the tropical islands of Indonesia, you experience the pure magic of the world’s largest archipelagic state. From its beautiful, sandy beaches to its wildlife-rich nature scapes, the country has something special for everyone.

A gentle reminder: Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, but don’t let these minor tremors hold you back from your Indonesian escapade. If you’re a foodie, get ready for a feast that will taunt every bit of your taste buds.

For you to completely immerse in the culture, it is advised that you learn Indonesian phrases. With its use of the Latin alphabet, Bahasa Indonesia is considered one of the easiest languages to learn. For starters, memorize this list.

Basic Indonesian Phrases

  • Hello: Halo (halo) / Hi: Hai (hi)
  • Yes: Ya (ya) / No: Tidak (tidak)
  • Good morning: Selamat pagi (selamat pagi)
  • Good afternoon: Selamat sore (selamat soreh)
  • Goodnight: Selamat malam (selamat malam)
  • Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (selamat ting-gal)
  • Please: Mohon (mohon) / Help: Tolong (tolong)
  • I’m sorry: Saya minta maaf (saya minta ma-aaf)
  • Excuse me: Permisi (permisi)
  • Thank you: Terima kasih (terima kasi)
  • You’re welcome: Sama-sama (sama-sama)
  • Be careful: Hati-hati (hatee hatee)

Essential Indonesian Questions

  • Do you speak English: Apakah kamu bisa bicara bahasa Inggris?
  • What’s your name: Siapa nama Anda? (siapa nama anda)
  • Where are you from: Anda berasal dari mana? (anda berasal dari mana)
  • How much is this: Berapa harganya? (berapa harganya)
  • What time does it open/close: Jam berapa buka/tutup?

Bahasa basics that stick like sambal 🌶️