Ever wondered how important learning Indonesian for tourists like you can be? Learning Indonesian opens the door to countless opportunities and unforgettable experiences in Indonesia. Connect with local people, understand their culture, and discover more about the country.
- What are the basic Indonesian phrases for tourists?
- How Indonesian for tourists help me get around in Indonesia?
- Easy tips to order food and drinks in Indonesian
- Do Indonesian sellers speak English? How to speak with Indonesians for shopping?
- Indonesian for tourists about hotels and accommodation
- During an emergency, how do local Indonesians explain their conditions?
- What are the words that Indonesian people often use?
- Discover practical tips to learn Indonesian for tourists
What are the basic Indonesian phrases for tourists?
First timer in Indonesia as a tourist? Get culture-shocked and speak these beginner-friendly phrases to start your journey. You won’t believe how the locals will actually admire you when you greet, thank, and apologize to them using Indonesian. Try this out!
How to say Hello and Goodbye in Indonesian?
Are you used to hearing “Halo. Apa kabar?” but aren’t exactly aware of what it means?
- Halo: Hello
- Hai: Hi
- Apa kabar?: How are you?
- Gimana kabarnya?: How are you?
- Selamat pagi: Good morning
- Selamat siang: Good afternoon
- Selamat sore: Good afternoon
- Selamat malam: Good evening
- Selamat tidur: Good night
- Senang bertemu denganmu: Nice to meet you
- Lama tidak bertemu: Long time no see
Indonesian for tourists’ expressions to say goodbye
Say goodbye using proper Indonesian farewell below.
- Sampai jumpa: Goodbye
- Selamat tinggal: Goodbye
- Sampai nanti: See you later
- Dadah!: Bye
- Sampai ketemu lagi: See you again
- Hati-hati / jaga diri: Take care!
How do I introduce myself in Indonesian?
And you might want to make friends with Indonesians using their native language. So, try out some of these phrases.
- Nama saya …: My name is …
- Perkenalkan, saya …: Let me introduce myself, I am …
- Saya …: I am …
- Salam kenal: It’s a pleasure to meet you
Learn more phrases and start your Indonesian course journey here!
How Indonesian for tourists help me get around in Indonesia?
Traveling without getting around and getting involved in the locality is impossible. Do you always expect the locals to speak your language? Some of them are very traditional, so Indonesian for tourists could keep you from getting lost within the country.
What should you say when asking for directions in Indonesian?
Know your route and ask the locals to avoid getting lost during your trip!
- Bagaimana cara ke Sanur?: How to get to Sanur?
- Ke mana saya harus pergi?: Where should I go from here?
- Kalau saya mau ke bandara, lewat mana?: If I want to get to the airport, which route should I take?
- Dari sini ke arah mana?: Which way is it from here?
- Apa benar ini arah ke Uluwatu?: Is this the correct way to go to Uluwatu?
Don’t get lost and find out more phrases about directions in Indonesian!
How to communicate with Indonesian taxi drivers?
Ordering an online taxi in Indonesia but your drivers speak only Indonesian? Don’t stress yourself out and use these simple expressions!
- Bisa tolong antar saya ke Hotel Sandat?: Could you take me to the Sandat Hotel, please?
- Saya sedang tidak buru-buru: I’m not in hurry
- Saya akan bayar tunai: I will pay by cash
- Apakah benar Anda driver saya?: Are you my driver?
- Apakah tempatnya jauh?: Is it far from here?
- Anda sudah pernah ke sana?: Have you been there before?
- Apakah ini jalan pintas?: Is this a shortcut?
- Apakah ada jalan yang tidak macet?: Are there any roads with no traffic?
- Berapa lama lagi?: How long will it take us from here?
- Bisa jemput saya di sini jam empat (4) sore?: Could you pick me up later at 4 pm?
Easy tips to order food and drinks in Indonesian
Indonesian for tourists comes to the rescue for your starvation. Check the expressions the people of Indonesia often use to order food and drinks below!
Ordering food at Indonesian restaurant
Sellers at small local warungs might not speak English fully. Try using Indonesian instead!
- Saya mau beli satu (1) nasi goreng: 1 nasi goreng, please
- Berapa harganya?: How much is it?
- Apa bisa dibungkus?: Can I have this packed to go?
- Apa ini pedas?: Is this spicy?
What you should say when asking for food ingredients
Don’t stay curious! Ask the locals what their tasty food is made from.
- Makanan ini terbuat dari apa?: What is this dish made of?
- Apa bahan-bahannya?: What are the ingredients?
- Apa makanan ini mengandung seafood?: Is there any seafood in it?
- Daging apa yang digunakan?: What kind of meat is used?
- Apakah mengandung alkohol?: Does it contain alcohol?
Put special request for your food and drinks with Indonesian for tourists
Use these Indonesian for tourists’ expressions to tell them how you want your food or drinks exactly to be.
- Apa bisa dibuat tidak pedas?: Can I have this not spicy?
- Tolong kurangi gulanya: Less sugar, please
- Saya mau pesan teh tanpa gula: I’d like my tea with no sugar
- Ukuran sedang saja: I’ll take the medium one
- Tidak pakai es: Without ice, please
Free consultation to Indonesian for tourists’ course
Do Indonesian sellers speak English? How to speak with Indonesians for shopping?
Explore the local stores for interesting items you might never get anywhere else.
Asking for price in Indonesian
- Berapa harga topi ini?: How much is this hat?
- Apakah harga sudah termasuk pajak?: Is the tax included in the price?
- Berapa totalnya dengan tambahan kantong plastik?: How much is it with the plastic bag?
- Apa saya bisa dapat kembalian?: Can I get the change?
- Saya tidak punya uang tunai: I don’t have cash
- Apa bisa bayar pakai kartu kredit?: Can I use a credit card?
- Terlalu mahal: That’s too expensive
Can we bargain in Indonesian local stores?
Yes, you may try bargaining with the sellers to get the best deal. Ask them politely using the expressions below.
- Bisa kurang?: Can I get a lower price?
- Apa itu harga pas?: Is that a fixed price?
- Boleh saya tawar?: May I bargain for this?
- Lima puluh ribu (50.000) terlalu mahal. Bisa empat puluh ribu (40.000)?:000 is too pricey. Can I get it with 40.000?
- Saya mau beli, tapi tolong turunkan harganya: I’d like to buy that but please lower the price for me
Use Indonesian and bargain like a pro! Find out more phrases here!
Indonesian for tourists about hotels and accommodation
Although most hotel staff would more likely speak to you in English, if you put effort in using Indonesian for tourists, this will surely put smiles on their faces.
Useful Indonesian phrases for hotel check-in and check-out in Indonesia
Experience smooth and real-life Indonesian phrases during your stay at your hotel.
- Saya ingin check in: I’d like to check in
- Saya sudah reservasi kamar atas nama …: I have a reservation under the name …
- Apa sudah bisa check in sekarang?: Can I check in now?
- Apa bisa check in lebih awal?: May have an early check-in?
- Ada biaya tambahan untuk check in lebih awal?: Is there additional charge for an early check-in?
- Jika belum bisa check in, boleh titip barang dulu di sini?: If I cannot check in now, can I leave my belongings here until check in time?
- Check in di sini jam berapa?: What time is your check-in?
- Check out jam berapa?: What is your check-out time?
- Apa saya perlu bayar jika terlambat check out?: Will I be charged for a late check-out?
Indonesian phrases to ask about hotel facility
Curious about what facility you will get during your stay? Why not ask the staff using these phrases?
- Fasilitas apa yang saya akan dapat di hotel?: What facility will I get here?
- Apa ada gym di hotel?: Is there a gym in this hotel?
- Di mana kolam renang umum?: Where is the public swimming pool?
- Apa kamar saya punya kolam renang pribadi?: Will I have a private swimming pool in my room?
- Jam berapa restoran buka untuk sarapan?: What time is the breakfast at the restaurant?
- Apakah room service tersedia 24 jam?: Do you provide 24-hour room service?
- Kamar tipe apa yang punya mini bar?: Which room type that has a mini bar inside?
- Bagaimana cara booking fasilitas shuttle ke bandara harus?: how to book the airport shuttle service?
How to use Indonesian for tourists to request help from hotel staff?
You can try politely asking for help using important phrases below.
- Tolong bantu bangunkan saya melalui telepon jam tujuh (7) pagi: Please give me a wake-up call at 7 am
- Bisa bantu bawakan barang saya ke kamar?: Could you please take my luggage to my room?
- Tolong antarkan dua (2) handuk ke kamar saya: Please bring 2 towels to my room
- Boleh saya minta tolong?: Can I ask you for a help?
- Tolong bersihkan kamar saya saat saya pergi: Please clean up my room when I’m away
Step-by-step conversational phrases are waiting for you to unlock!
During an emergency, how do local Indonesians explain their conditions?
It is easier to speak Indonesian with the locals when you are caught in trouble. An emergency situation may happen at any time, so get yourself prepared.
Essential Indonesian expressions to ask for help in an emergency
- Tolong!: Help!
- Tolong saya!: Help me!
- Apa ada orang?: Is anybody there?
- Saya perlu bantuan: I need help
- Saya baru saja jatuh dan tidak bisa berjalan: I just fell and now I can’t walk
- Tolong telepon ambulans: Please call an ambulance
- Di mana rumah sakit terdekat?: Where is the nearest hospital?
- Saya tidak bisa bernafas dengan baik: I’m having trouble breathing
Asking for medical assistance using Indonesian for tourists
If things get worse, you might also need professional medical assistance.
- Apa ada dokter di sini?: Do we have any doctors here?
- Saya perlu dokter. Dada saya sesak: I need a doctor. My chest feels tight.
- Anak saya tadi tenggelam di kolam renang dan belum sadar sejak tadi: My child drowned in the swimming pool and hasn’t regained consciousness. Please help!
- Apa yang harus saya lakukan? Mata saya perih: What should I do? My eyes are burning
- Kenapa saya harus operasi?: Why do I need surgery?
Stay out of danger and communicate with the language most locals understand!
What are the words that Indonesian people often use?
Indonesian for tourists’ course will get you closer to what the locals really sound like in everyday dialogues. Some words are affected by the regional languages and some actually do not mean anything at all.
- Banget: very/really/so
e.g.
Dia pinter banget: She’s very smart
- Gak/nggak: no/not
e.g.
Aku gak paham: I don’t understand
- Kok: how come / why
e.g.
Kok kamu pergi?: Why did you leave?
Kok?: How come?
- Yuk: let’s go / let’s …
e.g.
Yuk: Let’s go
Yuk beli makan: Let’s buy some food
- Udah: already
e.g.
Kamu udah tau: You already know it
- Dong: just please
e.g.
Jangan bohong dong: Just please don’t lie!
- Deh: then
e.g.
Oke deh: Okay then
Aku ke sana deh: I’ll go there then
- Dulu: first/ before anything else
e.g.
Aku mau mandi dulu sebelum berangkat kerja: I’ll take a bath first and after that I will go to work
Minta maaf dulu!: Before anything else, apologize!
- Aja: just/only
e.g.
Aku beli satu (1) aja: I only buy 1
Pakai aja rokku: Just wear my skirt
- Sih: though
e.g.
Mereka undang aku sih: They did invite me though
- Lho/loh: hey, wait
e.g.
Kita gak punya uang loh: Hey, wait, we don’t actually have money
- Kan: you know / right?
e.g.
Dia ibumu, kan?: She’s your mother, right?
Ini kan bukan tanggung jawab kita: This is, you know, not our responsibility
- Kayak: like
e.g.
Ini benar-benar kayak dugaanku: This is exactly like my prediction
Dia kayak orang penting: He’s like someone important
- Ya udah: yeah, well, okay
e.g.
Ya udah aku yang bayar makan: Yeah, well, okay, I will pay for the food
Discover practical tips to learn Indonesian for tourists
Find out more tips to understand Indonesian language and start to really use the phrases for your day-to-day conversations with the locals. Learn systematically with organized lesson plans at English Café Bali.
English Café Bali offers Bahasa Indonesia untuk Penutur Asing (BIPA) Program that suits you best. We teach and give you practical Indonesian expressions as well as real-life experience speaking like the locals do.
What to expect from our BIPA Program?
- Beginner-friendly learning method
- Lesson plans based on your level of proficiency and personal need
- Curriculum customized just for you
- Practical phrases you can use daily
- Essential information you need during your stay in Indonesia
- Introduction to Indonesian cultures and customs that actually shape the language
- Indonesian slang to communicate casually with the locals
- Experienced BIPA tutors
- 1-on-1 and small group classes
- Online and On-Site lessons are available
- Reasonable course fee
- Free consultation with our education assistant to help you plan your course
- Based in Bali, strategic location primarily from touristic district
Indonesian for tourists: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel around Indonesia without speaking Indonesian?
Even though English is widely spoken in many tourist areas, learning some basic Indonesian phrases can make your trip much more convenient. You can easily communicate with locals and connect with their culture on a deeper level.
Do people in Bali speak English?
People in Bali, especially those involved in the tourism industry, are mostly English speakers. However, you might also find locals who don’t speak English at all. Therefore, knowing Indonesian for tourists can actually help you communicate with them better.
How do you say hello in Indonesian?
To throw a simple greeting to Indonesian, you can say:
- Hai: Hi
- Halo: Hello
- Selamat pagi: Good morning
How to say thank you in Indonesian?
To say thank you in Indonesian, you should try saying “Terima kasih” or “Makasi” in short.
Indonesian way of saying sorry
If you want to apologize to the locals, say “Maaf”.
