Indonesian Language Guide: Essential Bahasa Indonesia Phrases

Travelling in Indonesia becomes easier when you know just a few words of Bahasa Indonesia, the country’s national and official language. You do not need to be fluent to greet a shopkeeper, ask a driver for help, explain a food allergy or thank someone for showing you the way.

This traveller-friendly guide explains where Indonesian is spoken, how regional languages differ, what to expect when using English and which everyday Indonesian phrases are worth practising. It also corrects some common spelling and translation mistakes in older phrase lists. For wider trip preparation, see our Indonesia visa and immigration information, electricity and charging guide and Indonesian time-zone overview.

Table of Contents

What Language Is Spoken in Indonesia?

Bahasa Indonesia is the country’s national and official language, used in public administration, education, media and communication between people from different regions. Its status is recognised in Article 36 of Indonesia’s Constitution and in Law No. 24 of 2009. The government language agency’s explanation of national language policy describes how Indonesian works alongside regional languages.

Indonesia is also home to hundreds of local languages. For example, Javanese is widely used in Java, Sundanese in West Java, Balinese in Bali, and Sasak in much of Lombok. Many Indonesians use a regional language at home and Indonesian for education, work or travel. These languages should not simply be called different accents of Indonesian: many have distinct vocabulary, grammar and literary traditions.

Is “Bahasa” the Name of the Language?

Bahasa is the Indonesian word for language. The precise name is Bahasa Indonesia or simply Indonesian in English. Travellers may hear the shorthand “Bahasa,” but it can be ambiguous because bahasa daerah means a regional language. Using the full name avoids confusion.

Do People Speak English in Indonesia?

English is encountered in many hotels, international airports, tour companies and well-visited parts of Bali, Jakarta, Batam and other cities. It is less reliable in smaller villages, local markets and remote areas. A few clear Indonesian phrases, a saved offline map and a translation app are therefore useful even if your hotel receptionist speaks English.

For example, English may help you arrange a popular Bali sightseeing itinerary, but Indonesian can be valuable when speaking with local vendors near the Tegallalang rice terraces or organising transport around Pontianak in West Kalimantan.

Essential Indonesian Phrases for Tourists

The expressions below use standard Indonesian spelling, followed by plain-English meanings. Indonesian usage varies by setting, and there are often several polite ways to express the same idea. Memorise the meaning and when you would use the phrase instead of treating word-for-word translations as universal.

Greetings and Everyday Politeness

English	Indonesian	Usage note
Good morning	Selamat pagi	Common morning greeting
Good day / hello at midday	Selamat siang	Used around the middle of the day
Good afternoon	Selamat sore	Late afternoon greeting
Good evening	Selamat malam	Evening greeting
Hello	Halo	Common informal greeting
How are you?	Apa kabar?	Friendly question
I’m well, thank you	Baik, terima kasih	Natural short response
Thank you	Terima kasih	Useful everywhere
You’re welcome	Sama-sama	Common reply to thanks
Excuse me	Permisi	When passing, approaching or interrupting politely
Sorry	Maaf	Apology or polite interruption
Please / go ahead	Silakan	Invitation or invitation to proceed; not every English “please”
Goodbye (to a person staying)	Selamat tinggal	More formal or longer departure
Goodbye (to a person leaving)	Selamat jalan	Said to the person departing
See you later	Sampai jumpa	Friendly farewell

Spelling corrections: the standard spelling is silakan, not silahkan, and the phrase “thank you” is written terima kasih as two words. In general, address strangers respectfully rather than assuming everyone prefers an informal style.

Yes, No, Numbers and Prices

English	Indonesian	When useful
Yes / no	Ya / Tidak	Basic decisions
How much does it cost?	Berapa harganya?	Asking prices
Is there a cheaper option?	Ada yang lebih murah?	Comparing items politely
One / two / three	Satu / dua / tiga	Quantities
Four / five / six	Empat / lima / enam	Quantities
Seven / eight / nine / ten	Tujuh / delapan / sembilan / sepuluh	Quantities
One hundred / one thousand	Seratus / seribu	Price discussions
I want this one	Saya mau yang ini	Shopping or ordering
I don’t want it, thanks	Tidak, terima kasih	Declining politely
Can I pay by card?	Bisa bayar pakai kartu?	Restaurant or store payment

If you are buying gifts at a local market, practise berapa harganya? before exploring handicraft centres in Indonesia. Prices may be fixed in some shops and negotiable in others; never assume bargaining is appropriate everywhere.

Indonesian Phrases for Directions and Transport

Finding Your Way

English	Indonesian
Where is the toilet?	Di mana toiletnya?
Where is the station?	Di mana stasiunnya?
Where is the ferry terminal?	Di mana terminal ferinya?
How do I get there?	Bagaimana cara ke sana?
Is it far?	Apakah jauh?
To the left / to the right	Ke kiri / ke kanan
Straight ahead	Lurus
Stop here, please	Tolong berhenti di sini
Please take me to this address	Tolong antar saya ke alamat ini
Thank you for your help	Terima kasih atas bantuannya

Language note: di mana (“where”) is written as two words. In formal writing, the preposition di is separate from the location word, while attached di- in a passive verb is a different grammatical structure.

Try the phrases in context when travelling to Kota Tua in Jakarta, exploring Lombok attractions or arranging a day trip in Batam. Show a written destination or map to reduce misunderstandings if the place name sounds unfamiliar.

A Simple Conversation with a Driver

Traveller: Permisi, bisa antar saya ke alamat ini? (Excuse me, can you take me to this address?)

Driver: Bisa. (Yes, I can.)

Traveller: Berapa biayanya? (How much will it cost?)

Traveller at destination: Tolong berhenti di sini. Terima kasih. (Please stop here. Thank you.)

Where a taxi uses a meter or a ride-hailing app shows a fare, follow the actual booking arrangement rather than assuming an informal negotiated price.

Ordering Food and Explaining Dietary Needs

Useful Restaurant Phrases

English	Indonesian
May I see the menu?	Boleh lihat menunya?
I would like to order	Saya mau pesan
Not spicy, please	Jangan pedas, ya
Without chilli, please	Tanpa cabai, ya
Without meat	Tanpa daging
Without peanuts	Tanpa kacang tanah
Does this contain shrimp paste?	Apakah ini pakai terasi?
I am allergic to peanuts	Saya alergi kacang tanah
Water, please	Air putih, ya
May I have the bill?	Boleh minta bonnya?

If you have a serious allergy, a translated phrase alone is not a safety guarantee. Speak with staff about ingredients, shared cooking equipment and cross-contact risks. Carry a written allergy card and follow your own medical guidance. For food inspiration, see must-try Indonesian food, local Jakarta restaurants and traditional cuisine in Lombok.

Mini Conversation at a Food Stall

Traveller: Selamat siang. Boleh lihat menunya? (Good afternoon. May I see the menu?)

Vendor: Silakan. (Please, go ahead.)

Traveller: Saya mau yang ini. Jangan pedas, ya. (I’d like this one. Not spicy, please.)

Traveller: Berapa harganya? (How much is it?)

Many traditional dishes include ingredients you may not recognise. When learning Indonesian, food shopping can be a natural introduction to culture; five Indonesian dishes to make at home offers ingredient context.

Pronouncing Indonesian Words: A Quick Beginner’s Guide

Indonesian spelling is generally more consistent than English, but it is not true that every letter always sounds exactly like its English equivalent. A short practice session makes common phrases easier to understand.

Vowels and Common Letter Combinations

a: often sounds like the a in “father.”
i: often like the ee in “see.”
u: usually like the oo in “food.”
e: has different pronunciations depending on the word, including a reduced vowel similar to the first sound in “about.”
c: commonly sounds like ch in “chair.”
ng: like the ending in “sing.”
ny: similar to the ny sound in “canyon.”

These are approximate descriptions for English speakers, not a complete pronunciation system. Listen to native speakers when possible. If you want structured lessons, the Indonesian government’s BIPA learning materials for foreign speakers provide dedicated resources.

Formal and Informal Language

People may say saya mau in everyday situations and choose more formal expressions in professional settings. Indonesian also has colloquial city-specific language and regional words. Learn a polite neutral phrase first, listen to how locals speak, and avoid copying slang whose social meaning you do not understand.

Respecting Indonesia’s Regional Languages and Culture

Indonesia’s many regional languages are living cultural traditions. A few Indonesian words help across provinces, but learning a locally appropriate greeting shows extra respect. Local guides may speak Bahasa Indonesia alongside Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, Sasak or another local language. For cultural travel ideas, see Indonesian village experiences, traditional dance heritage and Bali tourism villages.

Using Honorifics Respectfully

Pak (short for Bapak) and Bu (short for Ibu) can be used as respectful forms of address. They are not exact translations of every English “Mr.” or “Mrs.” relationship. Saying permisi, Pak or terima kasih, Bu is often a polite starting point when the context is appropriate.

What About Chinese-Indonesian Languages?

Various Chinese languages are spoken within Indonesian communities, with some regional associations such as Hokkien in Medan and Teochew in Pontianak. The original article noted this diversity; it should be understood as one part of a much broader multilingual society, not as a claim that every ethnic Chinese Indonesian speaks a Chinese language.

How to Practise Before Travelling

Save a dozen phrases offline and practise saying them aloud.
Save the names of your hotel, attraction and next stop in writing.
Download offline translation and map data, especially before travelling to rural areas.
Learn greetings, numbers and safety phrases rather than memorising complicated grammar first.
Do not rely entirely on machine translation for legal, medical or emergency situations.
Be patient when you are not understood; speak slowly and show the written phrase.

For an active itinerary through Komodo National Park or a surf-and-beach holiday around Canggu in Bali, basic Indonesian can make local arrangements smoother without assuming all residents speak the same regional language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bahasa Indonesia Difficult to Learn?

Many travellers can learn useful phrases quickly, although full fluency requires much more practice. Its spelling is fairly systematic, but pronunciation, colloquial forms and context still matter.

Can I Travel in Bali Without Speaking Indonesian?

Many visitors do, particularly in established tourism areas. However, basic Indonesian is helpful for local markets, less-visited villages and respectful cultural exchanges.

Is Indonesian the Same as Malay?

Indonesian and Malay are closely related, with much shared vocabulary and linguistic history, but they have distinct standard forms and usage conventions. Do not assume every word or formal expression is interchangeable.

What Does Terima Kasih Mean?

It means “thank you.” The everyday reply is usually sama-sama.

Official Sources and Learning Resources

For further travel inspiration, follow iseeindonesia.com.