Welcome to the vibrant world of travel in Indonesia! As you embark on your journey through this stunning archipelago, one of the most valuable assets you can carry is a basic understanding of the Indonesian language. From the bustling streets of Jakarta to the serene beaches of Bali and the lush jungles of Sumatra to the cultural treasures of Yogyakarta, mastering a few essential Indonesian words for travelling and phrases can make your adventure all the more enriching and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some key Indonesian words for traveling, helping you connect with locals, navigate your way around, and savor the flavors of this remarkable country.
Get to know the words below to let you go around easily in Indonesia.
Greetings, Essentials, Numbers and Directions
Greetings
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Hello | Halo / Hai |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi |
| Good afternoon | Selamat siang |
| Good evening | Selamat sore |
| Good night | Selamat malam |
| How are you | Apa kabar |
| I’m fine | Saya baik |
| Nice to meet you | Salam kenal |
| Good bye | Selamat tinggal |
| See you | Sampai jumpa |
Essentials
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Please | Tolong |
| Thank you | Terima kasih |
| You’re welcome | Sama-sama |
| It’s okay | Tidak apa-apa |
| I don’t understand | Saya tidak mengerti |
| I don’t know | Saya tidak tau |
| Excuse me | Permisi |
| I’m sorry | Maaf |
| Yes | Iya / Ya |
| No | Tidak |
Numbers
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| One | Satu |
| Two | Dua |
| Three | Tiga |
| Four | Empat |
| Five | Lima |
| Six | Enam |
| Seven | Tujuh |
| Eight | Delapan |
| Nine | Sembilan |
| Ten | Sepuluh |
Directions
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Left | Kiri |
| Right | Kanan |
| Straight | Lurus |
| Turn | Belok |
| Turn around | Putar balik |
| In | Masuk |
| Out | Keluar |
| Junction | Perempatan |
| T-junction | Pertigaan |
Questions, Emergencies, Days and Pronouns
Questions
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| How much is it | Berapa harga |
| How many | Berapa banyak |
| How long | Berapa lama |
| How old are you | Berapa umur |
| Where is | Dimana |
| When is | Kapan |
| Who is | Siapa |
| What is | Apa |
| Why is | Kenapa |
| How to | Bagaimana cara |
Emergencies
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Help me | Bantu saya |
| Hospital | Rumah sakit |
| Call the doctor | Panggil dokter |
| I’m sick | Saya sakit |
| Call the police | Panggil polisi |
| Fire | Kebakaran |
| Poisoned | Keracunan |
| Medicine | Obat |
| Cough | Batuk |
| Fever | Demam |
Days
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Monday | Hari Senin |
| Tuesday | Hari Selasa |
| Wednesday | Hari Rabu |
| Thursday | Hari Kamis |
| Friday | Hari Jumat |
| Saturday | Hari Sabtu |
| Sunday | Hari Minggu |
| Yesterday | Kemarin |
| Now | Sekarang |
Pronouns
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| I | Saya / Aku |
| You | Anda / Kamu |
| She / He | Dia |
| They | Mereka |
| We | Kita |
| You all | Kalian |
| Older male (Balinese) | Bli |
| Older female (Balinese) | Mbok |
| Ma’am | Ibu |
Eating Out, Shopping, Weather and Prepositions
Eating out
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restoran |
| I want to order | Saya mau pesan |
| Eat | Makan |
| Drink | Minum |
| Water | Air |
| I don’t eat | Saya tidak makan |
| I’m a vegan | Saya vegan |
| Bill please | Tolong nota |
| Just one | Satu saja |
| That’s all | Itu saja |
Shopping
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Which section | Sebelah mana |
| A lot | Banyak |
| A little | Sedikit |
| Buy | Beli |
| Expensive | Mahal |
| Cheap | Murah |
| Money’s change | Kembalian |
| What else | Apa lagi |
| Bargain | Nawar |
| Shopping bag | Tas belanja |
Weather
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Sunny | Cerah |
| Cloudy | Mendung |
| Rain | Hujan |
| Lightning | Petir |
| Cold | Dingin |
| Drizzle | Gerimis |
| Hot | Panas |
| Snow | Salju |
| Storm | Badai |
Prepositions
| English | Bahasa Indonesia |
|---|---|
| In front of | Depan |
| Behind | Belakang |
| Under | Bawah |
| Above | Atas |
| In the middle | Tengah |
| Beside | Samping |
| In / At / On | Di |
| Between | Antara |
| Inside | Dalam |
Want to go beyond the cheat sheet?
These words will get you through a taxi ride and a warung order. If you are staying in Bali for longer, our teachers can take you from single words to real conversations, in person in Bali or online. Have a look at our course options and prices, or take the free placement test to find your level.
In conclusion, mastering essential Indonesian words for traveling is your key to unlocking the beauty of Indonesia. By embracing the local language, you not only enhance your travel experience but also foster meaningful connections with the warm and welcoming people of this diverse archipelago. Whether you’re navigating bustling markets, ordering delicious street food, or seeking directions to breathtaking destinations, these words and Indonesian phrases will be your trusted companions on your journey through Indonesia’s rich culture and natural wonders.
