Bahasa Indonesia is relatively simple and by using a few phrases or sentences, you’ll be more appreciated and respected. You can find Indonesian phrase books in good book shops.
But these few pointers below can help. Try slipping a few of them in daily conversations and ask whether you get it right. It’ll be a great ice-breaker.
English |
Indonesia |
| How do you do? | Apa kabar? |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi |
| Good afternoon | Selamat siang |
| Goodbye | Selamat tinggal |
| Bon voyage | Selamat jalan |
| Fine | Baik |
| Welcome | Selamat datang |
| Personal Pronoun & Title | |
| I | Saya |
| You | Kamu/Anda |
| We | Kami |
| He/ She | Ia/Dia (both are genderless) |
| They | Mereka |
| Mr. | Tuan |
| Miss | Nona |
| Mrs | Nyonya |
| Questions | |
| Can you help me? | Dapatkah Anda membantu/ menolong saya? |
| How do I get there? | Bagaimana cara untuk ke sana? |
| How far? | Seberapa jauh? |
| How long will it make? | Seberapa lama? |
| How much (price)? | Berapa harganya? |
| What is this/that? | Apa ini/ itu? |
| What is your name? | Siapa nama Anda? |
| When? | Kapan? |
| Where? | Di mana? |
| Why? | Kenapa/ mengapa? |
| Direction | |
| Go up | Naik |
| Go down | Turun |
| Turn | Berputar |
| Right | Kanan |
| Left | Kiri |
| Front | Depan |
| Behind | Belakang |
| North | Utara |
| South | Selatan |
| East | Timur |
| West | Barat |
