WHEN stepping into a public places or bustling Balinese market, greeted with warm smiles and the scent of sizzling satay. You can say a simple “Selamat pagi!” (Good morning!), and instantly, the vendor’s face lights up. A few basic Indonesian phrases can transform your travel experience, creating deeper connections and unlocking the heart of the culture.
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes and rich traditions, is best experienced through its people. While many locals understand English, making the effort to speak local language—however simple—goes a long way. Whether you’re ordering a plate of nasi goreng (fried rice), asking for directions, or bargaining at a street market, knowing a few essential phrases will not only help you navigate but also earn you friendly nods of appreciation.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to practical Indonesian expressions that will make your trip smoother and more immersive. From polite greetings to useful travel questions, you’ll gain confidence in interacting with locals. So, ready to impress with a cheerful “Terima kasih!” (Thank you!) or a handy “Berapa harganya?” (How much is this?) Let’s dive in and start speaking like a local!
Part 1: Self introduction and basic greetings
- General greetings: Halo, Selamat pagi, Selamat siang, Selamat sore, Selamat malam
>> Hello, Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening, Good night
- Self introduction: Nama saya…, Saya dari…, Saya wisatawan dari…
>> My name is…, I am from…, I am a tourist from…
- Ask for name and origin: Siapa nama Anda? Dari mana Anda berasal?
>> What is your name? Where are you from?
- Polite expressions: Terima kasih, Maaf, Tolong, Permisi
>> Thank you, Sorry, Please, Excuse me
Part 2: Direction and Transportation
- Asking for direction: Di mana…? Bagaimana cara ke…?
>> Where is…? How do I get to…?
- Transportation: Taksi, bus, motor, jalan kaki, bandara, stasiun, terminal
>> Taxi, bus, motorbike, walking, airport, station, terminal
- Asking for transportation rates: Berapa ongkosnya? Bisa pakai taksi online?
>> How much is the fare? Can I use an online taxi?
- Giving instruction to driver: Tolong berhenti di sini, Pelan-pelan, Lewat jalan ini
>> Please stop here, Slow down, Take this way
Part 3: Shopping and Bargaining the Prices
- Asking for prices: Berapa harganya? Bisa lebih murah? Ada diskon?
>> How much is it? Can it be cheaper? Is there a discount?*
- Payment: Tunai atau kartu? Saya mau bayar pakai…
>> Cash or card? I want to pay with…
- Asking for size and colors: Ada ukuran lain? Ada warna lain?
>> Are there other sizes? Are there other colors?
- Keywords: Pasar, toko, suvenir, oleh-oleh, murah, mahal
>> Markets, shops, souvenirs, gifts, cheap, expensive
Part 4: Food and Restaurants
- Ordering food: Saya mau pesan…, Ada menu rekomendasi?
>> I want to order…, Any recommended menus?
- Asking for ingredients: Ada yang halal? Apakah ini pedas?
>> Are there any halal ones? Is this spicy?
- Requesting something: Tolong tambah nasi, Boleh tambah saus?
>> Please add rice, Can I add sauce?
- Expressing taste: Enak, manis, pedas, asin, gurih
>> Delicious, sweet, spicy, salty, savory
Part 5: Emergency and Health
- Asking for help: Tolong! Saya butuh bantuan!
>> Help! I need help!
- Going to doctor/pharmacy: Saya sakit, Di mana rumah sakit terdekat?
>> I’m sick, where is the nearest hospital?
- Reporting a loss: Saya kehilangan paspor/uang/ponsel
>> I lost my passport/money/cellphone
- Asking for important numbers: Berapa nomor polisi/ambulans?
>> What is the police/ambulance number?
Part 6: Social and Cultural Conversations
- Expressing admiration: Bagus sekali! Saya suka tempat ini!
>> Very good! I love this place!
- Asking about customs and culture: Apa tradisi di sini?
>> What are the traditions here?
- Answering local questions: Ya, saya suka Indonesia! Ini pertama kali saya ke sini
>> Yes, I love Indonesia! This is my first time here
- Familiar expression: Salam kenal, Senang bertemu dengan Anda
>> Nice to meet you
Hopefully, all readers are able to communicate confidently in basic situations, understand local culture better, and experience a closer connection to the destinations you visit. (*)
