Bali fifo lifeTravel Talk

Basic Indonesian Words and Phrases

In this next section, we take a look at some basic Indonesian words and phrases that you may find useful when traveling around Indonesia and trying to communicate with the locals.

Personal Pronouns

I – Saya

We – Kita (inclusive), Kami (exclusive)

You – Anda (formal) (Kamu – for friends and children only)

He/she – Dia

They – Mereka

Forms of Address

When addressing Indonesians always aim to be as polite and respectful as possible. The words for Mother and Father are used in the same way as Mrs. and Mr. and should be used when addressing new people or elders – and to show respect.

Father or Mr. – Bapak (“Pak”)

Mother or Mrs. – Ibu (“Bu”)

Basic Questions

How? – Bagaimana?

How much/many? – Berapa?

What? – Apa?

What’s this? – Apa ini?

Who? – Siapa?

Who’s that? – Siapa itu?

What is your name? – Siapa namanya?

When? – Kapan?

Where? – Di mana?

Why? – Kenapa? (or) Mengapa?

Which? – Yang mana?

Civilities

Welcome – Selamat datang

Good morning (7-11am) – Selamat pagi

Good midday (11am-3pm) – Selamat siang

Good afternoon (3-7pm) – Selamat sore

Good night (after dark) – Selamat malam

Goodbye – Selamat jalan

How are you? – Apa kabar?

I am fine – Kabar baik.

Thank you – Terima kasih.

You’re welcome – Kembali.

Same to you – Sama sama.

Pardon me – Ma’af

Excuse me – Permisi

Numbers

1 – Satu

20 – Dua puluh

2 – Dua

23 – Dua puluh tiga

5 – Lima

73 – Tujuh puluh tiga

4 – Empat

100 – Seratus

5 – Lima

600 – Enam ratus

6 – Enam

1,000 – Seribu

7 – Tujuh

3,000 – Tiga ribu

8 – Delapan

10,000 – Sepuluh ribu

9 – Sembilan

100,000 – Seratus ribu

10 – Sepuluh

1,000,000 – Satu juta

Half – Setengah

First – Pertama

Second – Kedua

Time

Minute – Menit

Hour – Jam (also clock/watch)

Day – Hari

Week – Minggu

Month – Bulan

Year – Tahun

Today – Hari ini

Tomorrow – Besok

What time is it? – Jam berapa?

(it is) eight thirty – Jam setengah sembilan

How many hours? – Berapa jam?

When did you arrive? – Kapan datang?

Four days ago. – Empat hari yang lalu.

When are you leaving? – Kapan berangkat?

In a short while – Sebentar lagi.

Days of the Week

Sunday – Hari Minggu

Monday – Hari Senin

Tuesday – Hari Selasa

Wednesday – Hari Rabu

Thursday – Hari Kamis

Friday – Hari Jum’at

Saturday – Hari Sabtu

Useful Words

Yes – Ya

Not – Tidak, Bukan

And – Dan

With – Dengan

For – Untuk

From – Dari

Good – Baik

Very- Good – Bagus

More – Lebih

Less – Kurang

To Be – Ada

To buy – Membeli

To know – Tahu

Big – Besar

To need – Perlu

To go – Pergi

Slow – Pelan

To wait – Tunggu

To – Ke

Tld – Tua, lama

Full – Penuh

Quiet – Sepi

Few – Sedikit

Cold – Dingin

Clean – Bersih

Entrance – Masuk

Better – Lebih baik

Worse – Kurang baik

This/These – Ini

That/Those – Itu

Same – Sama

Different – Lain

Here – Di sini

There – Di sana

To be able to – Bisa

Correct – Betul

Wrong – Salah

Small – Kecil

To Want – Ingin

To Stop – Berhenti

Fast – Cepat

To Continue – Terus

At – Di

New – Baru

Empty – Kosong

Crowded, Noisy – Ramai

Many – Banyak

Hot – Panas

Dirty – Kotor

Exit – Keluar

Small Talk

Where are you from? – Dari mana?

I’m from the US. – Saya dari Amerika.

How old are you? – Berapa usiamu?

I’m 31 years old. – Umur saya tiga pulu satu tahun.

Are you married? – Sudah menikah belum?

Yes, I am. – Yah, sudah.

Not yet. – Belum.

Do you have children? – Sudah punya anak?

What is your religion? – Agamamu apa?

Where are you going? – Mau ke mana?

I’m just taking a walk. – Jalan-jalan saja.

Please come in. – Silahkan masuk.

Please sit down. – Silahkan duduk.

Hotels

Room – Kamar

Bathe – Mandi

Towel – Handuk

Hot Water – Air panas

Good – Hotel Hotel yang baik

Please take me to… – Tolong antar saya ke…

Are there any empty rooms? – Ada kamar kosong?

Sorry there aren’t any… – Ma’af, tida

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