Learn Indonesian: The beginner's guide
Everything you need to know to start learning Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). From pronunciation to first sentences, including simplified grammar.
Indonesian is one of the most approachable languages in the world for a beginner: no tones, no verb conjugation, no cases, and the Latin alphabet. Expect roughly 100 to 150 hours to reach A2 — enough to travel and hold simple exchanges — which is about seven to ten months at half an hour a day. The hard part is not the language; it is finding a course that does not stop after three months.
Vous parlez français ? Apprendre l’indonésien en ligne : la méthode complète
Why learn Indonesian?
- 270+ million speakers
- 4th most spoken language in the world
- One of the easiest languages
- Unique professional opportunities
- Travel authentically, not as a tourist
- 17,000 islands to explore
5 steps to get started
Why are you learning Indonesian?
Pick your path — we tailor everything to your goal.
Free Resources to Learn Indonesian
Complete guides, comparisons and practical tips
Learn Indonesian — Complete Guide
A1-C2 levels, methods, duration, app comparison
Read the guideEssential Phrases for Travelers
50+ practical phrases for Bali, Jakarta, markets
Read the guideIndonesian vs Malay: Key Differences
80% mutual intelligibility, vocabulary, grammar
Read the guideBest App to Learn Indonesian
2026 comparison: IndoLingua vs Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur
Read the guideHow Long to Learn Indonesian?
FSI timeline: 900h total from A1 to C2
Read the guideIndonesian Alphabet & Pronunciation
26 letters, IPA, 5 pronunciation pitfalls
Read the guideIndonesian Grammar Basics
No conjugations, no genders, no tones
Read the guideCommon Indonesian Mistakes
Top 10 pitfalls for English and French speakers
Read the guideWhat Language Is Spoken in Bali?
Indonesian, Balinese and English — traveler guide
Read the guideIndonesian Numbers Guide
Count 1 to 1,000,000, prices, dates, ordinals
Read the guideRupiah Converter
Rupiah to USD, EUR and 12 more currencies, daily rates
Read the guideLearn Indonesian in 30 Days
Week-by-week A1 roadmap, 20-30 min/day
Read the guideWhy Learn Indonesian?
6 reasons: economy, travel, ease, culture, CV
Read the guideIndonesian Greetings
30+ ways to say hello, thanks, goodbye (time, religion, respect)
Read the guideIndonesian Food Words
60+ words: dishes, ingredients, restaurants, spice, allergies
Read the guideFormal vs Informal Indonesian — When to Switch
Anda or kamu, saya or aku: which register with a boss, a vendor, a friend
Read the guideBalinese or Indonesian — Which One for Bali
Everyone in Bali speaks Indonesian; Balinese is a separate language, kept for local circles
Read the guideIndonesian vs Mandarin vs Japanese — The Easiest
No tones, no characters, no conjugation: what makes Indonesian far quicker to start
Read the guideReduplication (Kata Ulang)
Why “anak-anak” means children, and when doubling a word changes its meaning
Read the guideBabbel Indonesian — Stops at A2
Babbel says it itself: its Indonesian goes up to A2. What it does well, and what comes next
Read the guidePimsleur Indonesian — One Level, 30 Lessons
30 audio lessons, about 15 hours, and no Level 2. Who it is for
Read the guideitalki vs Preply for Indonesian
Median price checked on 30 Sept: $12 on italki, $15 on Preply. When a tutor is worth it
Read the guideDoes Rosetta Stone Have Indonesian?
No: not among its 25 current languages. Why you still see it listed, and what to use instead
Read the guideDuolingo Indonesian — How Far It Takes You
The course stops around A2, with no Stories and no podcast, and teaches formal register only
Read the guideOrdering Food at a Warung
The phrases to order, the menu words, and how to ask for it less spicy
Read the guideGrab and Gojek — How They Work
Booking a ride or a meal, and the phrases you need with the driver
Read the guideBali Temples — Dress Code and Rules
Sarong, sash, covered shoulders: the dress code and the access rules to know
Read the guideWhat are the best storytelling apps with Indonesian support?
Beelinguapp and LingQ both carry Indonesian; Duolingo Stories does not. What each one actually gives you — and what to read once the story library runs out.
Read the guideBali Tourist Scams — Phrases to Avoid Them
Money changers, scooter damage, taxi meters: the common situations and what to say in Indonesian
Read the guideHow to Bargain in Indonesia and Bali
Market phrases, how much to offer, when to walk away — and where not to haggle
Read the guideRenting a Scooter in Bali
Cost, the license you need, helmet and police, refuelling: what to know and what to say
Read the guideFree Indonesian Resources — and Where They Stop
An honest inventory: what each free resource covers, and the level where it stops
Read the guideIndoLingua · indolingua.fr · Learn Indonesian from A1 to C2
Frequently asked questions
How long to speak Indonesian?
With 20 minutes a day, expect 3-4 months for basic conversation (A2) and 12-18 months for professional fluency (B2). Indonesian is ranked among the easiest languages for English speakers.
Is Indonesian really easy?
Yes! No conjugation, no gender, Latin alphabet, phonetic pronunciation. The American Foreign Service Institute estimates 900 hours to master Indonesian, compared to 2200 hours for Mandarin.
Where to start?
Start with greetings and polite phrases, then numbers and basic questions. Our A1 program guides you step by step with progressive lessons.
Ready to start?
Join IndoLingua and start learning Indonesian today. Free 3-day trial, no commitment.
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