50+ Indonesian Phrases for Travelers (Bali, Jakarta & Beyond)
Practical Indonesian phrases to survive and thrive as a tourist in Indonesia. Organised by situation — greetings, transport, hotels, food, shopping, emergencies — with phonetic guides so you can start speaking on day 1.
- Greetings
- Selamat pagi (morning), Selamat siang (day), Selamat malam (night), Apa kabar? (how are you?)
- Politeness
- Terima kasih (thank you), Tolong (please), Maaf (sorry), Permisi (excuse me)
- Shopping
- Berapa harganya? (how much?), Boleh kurang? (discount?), Terlalu mahal (too expensive)
- Emergency
- Tolong! (help!), Panggil polisi (call police), Saya sakit (I am sick)
Why learn Indonesian phrases before travelling?
Even 20 essential phrases transform your trip: better prices in markets, warmer connections with locals, and safer navigation in non-tourist areas. Indonesian is the lingua franca across 17,000+ islands.
Numbers for money and bargaining
satu (1), dua (2), tiga (3), empat (4), lima (5), enam (6), tujuh (7), delapan (8), sembilan (9), sepuluh (10), seratus (100), seribu (1000). Ten thousand rupiah = sepuluh ribu. A million = satu juta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do locals in Bali speak English?
Many tourism workers in Bali speak basic English, but outside Seminyak/Ubud, locals appreciate effort in Indonesian. Even a few phrases (Selamat pagi, Terima kasih) dramatically improve interactions and prices.
What is the most useful Indonesian phrase for travelers?
Terima kasih (thank you) and Berapa harganya? (how much does it cost?) are the two most used phrases, followed by Tolong (please) and Permisi (excuse me).
How do I bargain politely in Indonesian?
Use Boleh kurang? (can it be less?) or Terlalu mahal (too expensive). Smile, stay friendly, and expect 30-50% off the initial price in markets. Do not bargain in malls or supermarkets.
Is Indonesian the same in Bali and Jakarta?
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language spoken everywhere. Bali has its own local language (Balinese) but all Balinese also speak Indonesian. Jakarta uses some slang (bahasa gaul) unknown elsewhere.