Indonesia is an archipelago with diverse cultures, customs and languages. While there are over 300 languages spoken as a mother tongue in different parts of Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia is the official language. Even if you head far off the beaten track, Bahasa Indonesian is widely spoken as a first, second or third language by the locals. English is commonly spoken in bigger cities and tourist destinations such as Bali. Therefore, many travellers only bother to learn a little Indonesian, if any, relying solely upon English and google translate. However, I like to learn a few phrases to pay respect and homage to the locals. Luckily, Indonesian is relatively easy to pick up. At a minimum, learning some language basics, like how to say thank you in Indonesian will be a great help for your trip.
Thank you= Terima Kasih (pronounced te-ree-ma ka-see)
If you only learn one basic phrase in the Indonesian language, make sure it’s thank you! While almost every local understood “thank you” in English, saying it in Indonesian brought a smile to their faces. Fun fact, the direct translation for “Terima Kasih” is “receive kindness”, so when you say this, you are literally wishing kindness on the other person.
You’re welcome= Sama Sama (pronounced sah-mah sah-mah)
Another Indonesian phrase you will hear and use countless times is “Sama Sama”, commonly used in response to somebody saying “thank you”.
Where is the toilet?= Di Mana Toilet (pronounced dee mahnah toilet)
This is the phrase you’ll wish you learnt by heart for those sticky situations when you’re in the middle of nowhere, busting to go to the toilet. “Di Mana” as a phrase itself is also helpful to remember if asking for directions. For example, you can say “Di mana pantai” (where is the beach) or “Di mana warung” (where is the restaurant).
Delicious= Enak (pronounced eh-nack)
I used this one every time I ate to compliment the cook. There’s so much delicious food to eat in Indonesia, and the locals love the compliment of their local food in their native tongue. Want to learn more about Indonesian cuisine? I have a complete guide to the best dishes to try here.
I want to order= Appa (pronounced ah-par)
This is a great, easy phrase to know for ordering food at a restaurant, from a street seller, or even for ordering a drink at a bar.
Excuse me= Permisi (pronounced per-mee-see)
This a helpful phrase that you can use to grab the attention of a server or street seller to enquire after the bill or ask the price. It is also super helpful when moving through a crowd at a busy local market to politely ask someone to move out of your way.
How much is this= Berapa (pronounced be-rah-pah)
You will use this all the time when shopping or haggling with street sellers. The one downside to this one is usually locals will assume you speak more Indonesian than you do and reply with the price in Indonesian. I often wished I had learnt basic prices and numbers so I didn’t feel silly after I asked how much.
Too expensive= Terlalu Mahal (pronounced Ter-La-Loo Mah-hal)
This a great phrase to use when haggling or shopping! Haggling is a cultural norm in many countries throughout South East Asia, particularly with street vendors. Being able to bargain in the local language rather than in English helped me secure better prices for goods and services.
Already have= Sudah Punya (pronounced Sue-dah Puhn-yah)
This seems like a rogue phrase to learn, but hear me out. There are many situations where saying “already have” is beneficial, such as when someone is trying to sell you something or offer you a lift. I used this phrase so many times to respond to street sellers who often will follow you up the street trying to sell sunglasses or sarongs. By saying “already have” in the native language, the street sellers would promptly leave me alone, assuming that if I spoke the language, I must not be a tourist but instead may be an ex-pat.
I like to walk= Saya Suka Berjalan (pronounced Sai-yah Soo-kar Brrr-Jel-len)
In many parts of Indonesia, walking between destinations as a mode of transport is uncommon. With scooter rentals and grab prices being so cheap, locals assume tourists will use this instead of walking. However, if you’re like me and enjoy walking around to get a feel for a place and as a form of exercise, you’ll constantly be saying this to taxis and scooters who stop to offer you a lift. Looking for more information about how to get around Indonesia and the different forms of transport? Check out the full transport guide here.
Help= Toolong (pronounced Toh-long)
Luckily not a phrase I ever had to use, but super helpful to rattle off the top of your head should you run into any trouble in Indonesia.
Call the Police= Panggil Polisi (pronounced pang-geel po-lee-see)
Again, not a phrase I have ever used, fortunately, but essential to know just in case.
Want to learn more Indonesian language than just the basics for travel? Duolingo is my favourite language learning app due to its user-friendly and enjoyable use! Alternatively, there are many language exchange programs in Indonesia (due to the high expat numbers), and some hostels run casual language classes or events.
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