If you are planning overseas travel, it’s always useful to know a few key words and phrases in the local language before you leave home. In most countries, the locals appreciate it when visitors try to use local greetings and they are often more than happy to help supply some extra words to use too. 

 

In this article, we take a look at the relatively modern language (Bahasa) of Indonesian, where it came from, and some useful phrases to know before you visit.

Languages in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast archipelago made up of more than 17,500 islands. Historically, these islands had their own languages (often several) that were quite unique and specific to certain areas. As Indonesia began to unite and transport and trade between areas improved, it became clear that a single language spoken throughout the country would help to unite Indonesia’s diverse population and ethnic groups. Although Bahasa Indonesia (which literally means ‘Indonesian language’), is spoken throughout Indonesia, many people are bilingual and speak both Indonesian as well as their local dialect.

 

The most common languages spoken today in Indonesia are:

Bahasa Indonesia – 270 million speakers.	Javanese – 68.2 million speakers.
Sundanese – 32.4 million speakers.	Maduranese – 7.7 million speakers.
Bahasa Bugis – 4.3 million speakers.	Minangkabau – 4.2 million speakers.

Facts about Indonesian

• Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia.
• Indonesian utilizes a simple and phonetic writing system and borrows words from various other languages including Dutch, Arabic, Sanskrit, Portuguese, Chinese, and English.
• Indonesian began as a standardized form of Malay and although it still shares many similarities with Malay it has evolved into a distinct language with its own vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
• The Indonesian alphabet, known as “Ejaan Yang Disempurnakan,” consists of 26 letters and follows a consistent pronunciation pattern, making it relatively easy to learn and read.
• In contrast to many other languages (particularly European languages), Indonesian does not differentiate nouns, pronouns, or adjectives based on gender. This feature makes it more inclusive and straightforward to use.
• Indonesian words can be modified through the addition of prefixes, suffixes, or infixes to convey different nuances of meaning, create verb forms, or to indicate past, present or future tenses.
• Indonesian follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) sentence structure, making it less complex compared to languages with more intricate grammar rules.
• Although Indonesian is the official language, variations of the language (local dialects) can be found across different regions of Indonesia.
• Similar to other Southeast Asian languages, Indonesian has different levels of politeness in speech, allowing speakers to adjust their language based on the social context and relationship with the listener.
• Due to migration and increasingly easy access to travel around South East Asia, Indonesian is spoken by communities in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
• As Indonesian interacts with other languages and cultures, new words and expressions continue to be incorporated into the language – Indonesian is still evolving to this day.

Bahasa Indonesia and English in the Tourism Industry

 

Depending on where you travel in Indonesia, you may find that the local people have varying levels of proficiency in English. Generally speaking, the more ‘off the beaten track’ you venture, the stronger the possibility of locals with extremely limited English.

 

That being said, when staying in hotels, in resorts, or when communicating with dive operators, English is usually spoken to some extent. As the recognized international language in travel and tourism, most staff speak English to some degree. Many operators, including Murex Resorts, provide staff with English lessons and encourage them to develop their English skills – be patient, speak slowly, and try out some of your Indonesian skills too!

Basic Indonesian Words and Phrases

In this next section, we take a look at some basic Indonesian words and phrases that you may find useful when traveling around Indonesia and trying to communicate with the locals.

Personal Pronouns

I – Saya	We – Kita (inclusive), Kami (exclusive)
You – Anda (formal) (Kamu – for friends and children only)	He/she – Dia
They – Mereka

Forms of Address

When addressing Indonesians always aim to be as polite and respectful as possible. The words for Mother and Father are used in the same way as Mrs. and Mr. and should be used when addressing new people or elders – and to show respect.

Father or Mr. –  Bapak (“Pak”)

Mother or Mrs. – Ibu (“Bu”)

Basic Questions

How? – Bagaimana?	How much/many? – Berapa?
What? – Apa?  What’s this? – Apa ini?	Who? – Siapa?   Who’s that? – Siapa itu?
What is your name? –  Siapa namanya?	When? – Kapan?
Where? – Di mana?	Why? – Kenapa? (or) Mengapa?
Which? – Yang mana?

Civilities

Welcome – Selamat datang	Good morning (7-11am) – Selamat pagi
Good midday (11am-3pm) –  Selamat siang	Good afternoon  (3-7pm) –  Selamat sore
Good night (after dark) –  Selamat malam	Goodbye – Selamat jalan
How are you? –  Apa kabar?	I am fine – Kabar baik.
Thank you – Terima kasih.	You’re welcome – Kembali.
Same to you – Sama sama.	Pardon me – Ma’af
Excuse me – Permisi

Numbers

1 – Satu	20 – Dua puluh
2 – Dua	23 – Dua puluh tiga
5 – Lima	73 – Tujuh puluh tiga
4 – Empat	100 – Seratus
5 – Lima	600 – Enam ratus
6 – Enam	1,000 – Seribu
7 – Tujuh	3,000 – Tiga ribu
8 – Delapan	10,000 – Sepuluh ribu
9 – Sembilan	100,000 – Seratus ribu
10 – Sepuluh	1,000,000 – Satu juta
Half – Setengah	First – Pertama
Second – Kedua

Time

Minute – Menit	Hour – Jam (also clock/watch)
Day – Hari	Week – Minggu
Month – Bulan	Year – Tahun
Today – Hari ini	Tomorrow – Besok
What time is it? – Jam berapa?	(it is) eight thirty – Jam setengah sembilan
How many hours? – Berapa jam?	When did you arrive? – Kapan datang?
Four days ago. – Empat hari yang lalu.	When are you leaving? –  Kapan berangkat?
In a short while – Sebentar lagi.

Days of the Week

Sunday – Hari Minggu	Monday – Hari Senin
Tuesday – Hari Selasa	Wednesday – Hari Rabu
Thursday – Hari Kamis	Friday – Hari Jum’at
Saturday – Hari Sabtu

Useful Words

Yes – Ya	Not – Tidak, Bukan
And – Dan	With – Dengan
For – Untuk	From – Dari
Good – Baik	Very- Good – Bagus
More – Lebih	Less – Kurang
To Be – Ada	To buy – Membeli
To know – Tahu	Big – Besar
To need – Perlu	To go – Pergi
Slow – Pelan	To wait – Tunggu
To – Ke	Tld – Tua, lama
Full – Penuh	Quiet – Sepi
Few – Sedikit	Cold – Dingin
Clean – Bersih	Entrance – Masuk
Better – Lebih baik	Worse – Kurang baik
This/These –  Ini	That/Those – Itu
Same – Sama	Different – Lain
Here – Di sini	There – Di sana
To be able to – Bisa	Correct – Betul
Wrong – Salah	Small –  Kecil
To Want – Ingin	To Stop –  Berhenti
Fast –  Cepat	To Continue  – Terus
At – Di	New – Baru
Empty –  Kosong	Crowded, Noisy –  Ramai
Many – Banyak	Hot –  Panas
Dirty – Kotor	Exit –  Keluar

Small Talk

Where are you from? –  Dari mana?	I’m from the US. – Saya dari Amerika.
How old are you? – Berapa usiamu?	I’m 31 years old. – Umur saya tiga pulu satu tahun.
Are you married? – Sudah menikah belum?	Yes, I am. – Yah, sudah.
Not yet. –  Belum.	Do you have children? – Sudah punya anak?
What is your religion? – Agamamu apa?	Where are you going? – Mau ke mana?
I’m just taking a walk. – Jalan-jalan saja.	Please come in. – Silahkan masuk.
Please sit down. – Silahkan duduk.

Hotels

Room – Kamar	Bathe – Mandi
Towel – Handuk	Hot Water – Air panas
Good – Hotel Hotel yang baik	Please take me to…  – Tolong antar saya ke…
Are there any empty rooms? – Ada kamar kosong?	Sorry there aren’t any… –  Ma’af, tida

Diving  Vocabulary

Dive – Selam	Beach – Pantai
Diving –  Menyelam	Rock – Batu
Diver –  Orang menyelam/penyelam	Sea/ocean – Laut
Night dive – Selam malam	Fish – Ikan
Cave dive – Selam goa	Big fish – Ikan besar
Nitrox – Nitrox	Lots of fish – Banyak ikan
Coral –  Karang	Wind – Angin
Wave – Ombak	Sunset – Matahari terbenam
Big wave –  Ombak besar	Moon – Bulan
Current – Arus	Full moon  –  Bulan purnama
Shallow –  Dangkal	Cold water  – Air Dingin
Deep –  Dalam	Warm water  – Air Hangat
Good conditions – Kondisi bagus	Bad conditions – Kondisi tidak bagus

Useful Questions and Statements for Divers

How deep? – Berapa dalam?	When do we get there? – Kapan datang?
Are you ready? –  Siap?	I feel seasick – Saya mabuk laut
Ready –  Sudah	I forgot……. – Saya lupa……
Wait –  tunggu	Be careful – Hati-hati
Is the tank already changed? – Sudah ganti tangki?	Do you have a smaller BCD? – Ada BCD lebih kecil?
This tank is empty – Tangki ini sudah kosong	Do you have bigger fins? – Ada fin lebih besar?
Please can you help me? – Bisakah kamu tolong saya?	I am nervous/afraid/scared –  Saya takut
How long? – Berapa panjang?	I only want to dive for 40 minutes –Saya mau menyelam untuk empat puluh menit saja
Do you have an extra tank? –  Ada satu tangki lagi?

Diving, Snorkeling and Freediving Equipment

Most equipment terms are the same in Bahasa as in English and guides understand most that are different. Here a few that you may find helpful:

Mask – Masker	Ladder – Tangga
Tank – Tangki / Tabung / botol	Rope – Tali
Float or Buoy –  Pelampung	Anchor – Jangkar
Weight  – Berat	Boat – Kapal or the type of boat ie speedboat, jukung, phinisi
Torch –  Lampu	Engine – Mesin

 

Items that are described using English words include: BCD, regulator, octopus, fin, booties, snorkel, weight belt, and wetsuit and in Indonesia SMB’s are known as safety sausages, the Indonesian for which is sosis!

Diving Certification Levels

In Indonesian the levels of diver certification are referred to in English: Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster and Instructor.

Time to Try Out Your Indonesian?

 

Are you ready to book your next trip to Indonesia? Why not join us for a Passport to Paradise? Discover three distinct destinations here in North Sulawesi: Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh, in one phenomenal trip. Dive with turtles and explore the staggering walls of the Bunaken Marine Park, dive into Bangka Islands’ kaleidoscopic soft coral reefs, and experience the world’s best muck diving in the Lembeh Strait.

 

Our Passport to Paradise resorts (Murex Manado, Murex Bangka and Lembeh Resort) are connected by boat diving transfers which means no wasted travel time and even more time underwater as you simply dive your way from resort to resort!

Get in Touch

Contact us at reservations@murexresorts.com. You may also want to check out Murex Resorts’ rates and reserve your spot now.

 

We look forward to welcoming you to North Sulawesi!

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also be interested in some of our other recent posts about diving, staying, and exploring North Sulawesi:

• What is the Culture in North Sulawesi Like?
• Enhance Your Dive Skills for North Sulawesi
• The Best Manado Food For First Time Travelers

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