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.
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 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 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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