Indonesian Greetings — 30+ Ways to Say Hello, Goodbye & Thanks
From Selamat pagi to Assalamualaikum, from casual "Halo" to respectful "Pak/Bu" for elders — this guide covers every greeting, farewell and thank-you an Indonesian learner needs, with pronunciation and social context for each.
- Time-based
- Selamat pagi (morning), siang (day), sore (afternoon), malam (night)
- Informal
- Halo, Hai — with peers and friends
- Religious
- Assalamualaikum (Muslim), Om Swastiastu (Balinese Hindu)
- Respectful
- Pak (Mr.), Bu (Mrs.) — always use with elders and strangers
The 10 most essential greetings
Selamat pagi (good morning), Selamat siang (good day), Selamat sore (good afternoon), Selamat malam (good evening), Apa kabar? (how are you?), Baik, terima kasih (fine, thanks), Sampai jumpa (see you later), Terima kasih (thank you), Sama-sama (you're welcome), Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you — Muslim).
Cultural tips for greeting Indonesians
Address elders with Pak (Mr.) or Bu (Mrs.) + name. Always greet back — ignoring a greeting is considered very rude. Smile generously. Match religious greetings (reply Wa'alaikumsalam only if you are Muslim). A slight head nod shows respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hello in Indonesian?
The most common way is "Halo" (informal) or time-based greetings: Selamat pagi (morning, before 11am), Selamat siang (11am-3pm), Selamat sore (3pm to sunset), Selamat malam (after sunset). For Muslims, Assalamualaikum is also very common.
What does "Apa kabar" mean?
"Apa kabar?" literally means "What news?" and is the standard way to ask "How are you?" in Indonesian. Reply with "Baik, terima kasih" (Fine, thank you) or "Baik-baik saja" (Just fine).
How do Indonesians greet elders respectfully?
Use "Pak" (for men) or "Bu" (for women) before the name or as a standalone term of address. Example: "Selamat pagi, Pak" (Good morning, sir). Use "saya" (formal I) instead of "aku" (informal).
What is the difference between Sampai jumpa and Selamat tinggal?
"Sampai jumpa" means "see you later" — neutral and most common. "Selamat tinggal" is used when you are leaving someone behind. "Selamat jalan" is used when someone else is leaving you.