Want to learn enough easy Indonesian travel phrases to get by, without all the extras? I got you.
More than 700 regional languages are spoken in Indonesia, but 94% of the population speaks the common Indonesian language (known as Bahasa Indonesia).
Here are the phrases I use most when traveling to shop, dine, and make friends — all on flashcards so you can study & quiz yourself! I’ve given the pronunciation that an American can easily learn well enough to be understood.
Easy Indonesian Travel Phrases
Please
Tolong
Pronounced like “toe-long” with a soft t sound (td)
Thank you
Terima Kasih
Pronounced like tuh-ree-muh kah-see
Yes
Ya
Pronounced like yeah
No
Tidak
Pronounced like tee-duck
One of those
Salah satunya
Pronounced like sah-lah sa-tune-yeh
(tolong salah satunya = One of those, please)
How much is it?
Berapa harganya
pronounced like burr-ah-pa har-gan-ya
(how much is it = ini berapa harganya)
The check
Boleh minta bilnya
Pronounced like bol-ay min-ta bil-nyah
Note: There are many ways to say this – this is the simplest for English speakers to learn.
Chicken
Ayam
Prounounced just like I am
ayam goreng = fried chicken (i am go reng)
Noodles
Mie
Pronounced like me
Fried noodles – mie goreng
Rice
Nasi
Pronounced like nah-see
Fried rice = nasi goreng
Coffee/Tea
Kopi or Teh
Pronounced like cope-ee or teh
Water
Air
Pronounced like eye-er or eye-eh
Good morning
Selamat pagi
Pronounced like sell-a-maht pah-ghee
Used in the morning until about 11am
Good Day
(this is the most common formal greeting in Indonesia)
Selamat siang
Pronounced like sell-a-maht see-ang
Used roughly from 11am-3pm
Good Afternoon
Selamat sore
Pronounced like sell-a-maht sore-ay
Used roughly from 3pm-6pm
Good Evening/good night
Selamat malam
Pronounced like sell-a-maht mah-lahm
Used roughly from 6pm-midnight
Where is the bathroom?
Di mana kamar mandi
Pronounced dee-MAH-nah kam-ar man-DEE
Eat (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Makan (makan pagi, makan siang makan malam)
Pronounced like MAH-kan
Ready for more? I suggest learning the numbers 1-10 https://l-lingo.com/free-lessons/en/learn-indonesian/numbers-1-10.htmlas your next step.
About these Indonesian travel phrases
Like all languages, there are usually several ways to say things.
For these Indonesian travel phrase flashcards, I’ve given you the simplest phrase to say and remember.
Note that English is widely spoken in tourist-friendly areas of Indonesia.
Ready to travel to Indonesia? Check out this post about drinking the water, or browse some of my favorite travel gear.
