Indonesian are known for their hospitality. Besides the beauty of its nature, Indonesian also kind and friendly. If you are planning to visit this country, you don’t have to worry about being lost.
Some of Indonesian can speak English while the others’ familiar with simple English but maybe cannot answer the questions in English. So I suggest you to learn some simple Indonesian sentences to help you to communicate with them while visiting Indonesia.
There are some words you should have known before you practice simple sentences in Indonesia language:
- Apa kabar? : how are you?
- Kabar baik : I’m fine
- Selamat pagi : good morning
- Selamat siang : good afternoon
- Selamat sore : good afternoon
- Selamat malam : good night
- Selamat malam : good evening
- Sampai jumpa : see you again
- Hai/ halo : hello
- Baik : ok, fine
- Terima kasih : thank you
- Trims : thanks
- Ya : yes
- Tidak : no
- Bukan : no
- Tolong : please
- Saya : I
- Kamu : you (sometimes also use word “kau” or “anda” for formal conversations)
- Dia : she/ he
- Kami : we/us (not including the person who spoken to)
- Kita : we/us (including the person who spoken to)
- Mereka : they
- Kalian : you (plural)
3. Indonesian Directions Phrases
- Lurus : go straight
- Belok : turn
- Kanan : right
- Kiri : left
- Belok kanan: turn right
- Belok kiri : turn left
- Perempatan : intersection
- Pertigaan : T-junction
- Utara : north
- Selatan : south
- Timur : east
- Barat : west
4. Person
- Bapak : sir
- Ibu : mam
- Kakak/ mas : older brother
- Kakak/ mba : older sister
- Adek/ dek : younger brother or sister
- Paman/ om : uncle
- Bibi/ tante : aunt
5. Indonesian Numbers Numbers
- Satu : one
- Dua : two
- Tiga : three
- Empat : four
- Lima : lima
- Enam : six
- Tujuh : seven
- Delapan : eight
- Sembilan :nine
- Sepuluh : ten
Here are more: Indonesian Words for Numbers from 0 to 100 Trillion
6. Indonesian Currency
- Uang : money
- Mata uang : currency
- Seribu : a thousand
- Sepuluh ribu : ten thousand
- Seratus ribu : a hundred thousand
- Satu juta : one million
7. Indonesian Places
- Bandara : airport
- Terminal bis : bus station
- Stasiun kereta : train station
- Halte bis : bus stop
- Pasar : market
- Museum : museum
- Galeri : galerry
- Kantor polisi : police station
- Penukaran uang / money changer : money changer
- Pantai : beach
- Gunung : mountain
- Sawah : rice field
Examples of Sentences in Indonesian
So let’s practice simple Indonesian sentences for basic conversations in Indonesian:
First time to meet
- Hello, how are you? (Halo, apa kabar namamu?)
- Let me introduce myself. (Ijinkan saya memperkenalkan diri.)
- My name is Ryan. (Nama saya Ryan.)
- It is nice to meet you. (Senang berkenalan denganmu.)
- Do you speak English? (Kamu bisa bahasa Inggris?)
- Can you help me, please (Dapatkan kamu menolongku?)
- What is your name? (Siapa nama mu/ anda?)
Ask for direction
Where is the police stasion? (Dimanakah kantor polisi?)
- Go straight and turn right (Lurus kemudian belok kanan.)
Where can I find money changer? (Dimana tempat penukaran uang?)
- The money charger located next to the bank. (Money changer ada di sebelah bank.)
Where is Mandarin Hotel located? (Dimana letak Hotel Mandarin?)
- On the north side of water fountain. (Di sebelah utara air mancur.)
Indonesian Bargains
Here examples of simple Indonesian sentences:
- How much it cost? (Berapa harganya?)
- Ten thousand rupiah (Sepuluh ribu rupiah.)
- Can I bargain? (Dapatkah saya menawar?)
- Yes, you can. (Ya, kamu boleh menawar.)
- No, you cannot. (Tidak boleh ditawar.)
- How much discount? (Diskon berapa?)
- Twenty percent discount. (Diskon dua puluh persen.)
- Can I get cheaper price? (Bisakah saya dapat harga lebih murah?)
- The price is so high. (Harganya mahal sekali.)
Also learn more here: Indonesian Bargaining Words for Travelers Shopping Guide
Indonesian Daily Manners
- Thank you for your help. (Terima kasih atas pertolonganmu.)
- It’s very kind of you. (Kamu baik sekali.)
- Good luck! (Semoga sukses!)
- See you soon. (Semoga bertemu lagi.)
- Thank you so much. (Terima kasih banyak.)
These sentences are informal, we use them on daily conversation as someone ask for help or when the first time we meet people. Don’t worry about the tenses and the phrase arrangement, because they are used in simple language structure.
Let’s practice and use them as you meet Indonesian so it will be easy for you to communicate. You can learn more about Greetings and Travelers Shopping Guide on the previous lessons.