Learning and mastering general Indonesian phrases with only minutes? It is very possible. It is one of the tips of learning Bahasa Indonesia for people who only has limited time. Why don’t we try to understand and memorize some most important phrases in Indonesian? Take a look of these following words.
Indonesian Daily-life activity
In terms of learning general Indonesian phrases with only less than 3 minutes, you should learn some daily words that would help you in daily-life activity. Of course you need to learn the way to introduce yourself in Indonesian, beside how to greet other people.
- Nama saya Aji (formal) – My name is Ali
- Saya Aji (informal) – I’m Aji
- Siapa nama Anda? – What is your name?
- Saya berusia 17 tahun – I am seventeen years old
- Berapa umur Anda? – How old are you?
- Hobi saya adalah bermain bola – My hobby is playing football
- Saya suka bermain musik – I like playing music
- Apa hobi Anda? – What is your hobby?
- Saya senang – I’m happy
- Saya marah – I’m angry
- Saya sedih – I’m sad
- Di mana Anda tinggal? – Where do you live
- Saya tinggal di Jakarta Selatan – I live in South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
- Bolehkah saya membantu Anda? – May I help you?
- Apakah Anda dapat menolong saya – Could you help me?
- Bolehkah saya meminjam sejumlah uang? – Could you lend me some money, please?
- Bagaimakah caranya untuk mencapai rumah sakit? – How can I reach the hospital location?
- Berapa nomor kamu? – Could you tell me your phone number?
- Di mana letak kantor pos? – Where is the post office?
- Mengapa saya harus melakukan hal itu? – Why should I do that?
- Saya tidak bersedia bertemu dengannya – I have no intention to meet him/her?
- Saya lelah – I’m tired
- Berapa lama perjalanan Jakarta–Bandung? – How long is Jakarta to Bandung?
- Apa kabar? – How are you?/ What’s up?
- Saya tidak mengerti – I don’t understand
- Sejujurnya – To be honest
- Saya setuju – I’m agree (with you)
- Terima kasih – thank you
- Sama-sama – your welcome
- Tolong – please
- Maaf – sorry
Indonesian Food-related
Beside the daily life activity, the tasty general Indonesian phrases you should learn is about words for food. Here is the list of it.
- Makanan – Food
- Makan/memakan – Eat
- Enak/lezat – delicious
- Asam – Sour
- Asin – Salty
- Manis – Sweet
- Pahit – Bitter
- Pedas – Spicy
- rempah – spice
- Kurang asin/kurang garam/hambar – tasteless
- mencicipi – taste (v)
- bawa pulang – take away
- Apa yang sedang ibu masak? – What is mom cooking?
- Saya tidak memakan daging/Saya seorang vegetarian – I don’t eat meat/I’m a vegetarian
- Di mana saya dapat membeli bir? – Where can I buy beers?
- Di manakah letak pasar? – Where is the market?
- Di mana pasar terdekat untuk membeli sayuran segar? – Where is the nearest market to buy fresh vegetables?
- Saya mau pesan seafood – I want to order seafood
- Makanan ini sangat lezat – This food is really tasty
- Daging ini sedikit hambar – This meat is a little bit tasteless
- Jangan terlalu pedas – Don’t make it too spicy
- Saya suka makanan pedas – I love spicy food
- Sambal – Chili sauce (but different with Western cuisine, Indonesia has a really different way to do with chili)
Did you know that Indonesian ‘sudah makan?’ mostly means ‘have you eat rice?’ because most Indonesian would say that ‘without rice (which is Indonesian prime and main course), it’s not an ‘official’ consuming food. Therefore, eat means ‘eat rice’. You would surprise how Indonesian is really dependent on rice.
Indonesian Transportation-related
The other essential phrases you should learn is words for transport. Beside learn new vocabulary, it would help you survive in another country, both physically and economically. You do not want to lose in another country and go bankrupt, right?
- angkutan umum – mass transportation
- sepeda – bike
- motor – motorbike
- mobil – car
- bus – bus
- truk – truck
- bus transjakarta – city bus (Jakarta)
- KRL (Kereta Rel Listrik) – commuter line
- kereta – train
- kapal – ship
- perahu – boat
- pesawat (terbang) – (air)plane
- halte – bus station
- halte transjakarta – busway
- terminal – bus (park) stop
- pelabuhan – harbor
- bandara – airplane
- Di manakah saya dapat membeli kartu multi-trip? – Where can I find the multi-trip card?
- Di manakah stasiun terdekat? – Where is the nearest train station?
- Jam berapa kereta datang? When will the train arrive
- Berapa ongkos dari Jakarta ke Yogyakarta? – How much is cost for Jakarta to Yogyakarta ticket?
- Berapa ongkosnya? (informal) – How much it’s cost?
- Saya ingin membeli sebuah motor – I want to buy a motorbike
- hari bebas kendaraan – car free day
- Ah, macet (expression) – Oh no, traffic
- Berapa harga sebuah mobil ferrari? – How much is a ferrari cost?
Now, at least you master the general Indonesian phrases that add another your survival phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. However, the key is always to be motivated and get more and more practice. Therefore, read as many articles, get some friends to help you, and never give up. Good luck!