Indonesian Languages
Bahasa Indonesia serves as the national language of Indonesia, utilized comprehensively throughout the country. It functions as the primary medium of official communication, is systematically taught in educational institutions, and dominates broadcast media across electronic and digital platforms.
Linguistic Diversity While Bahasa Indonesia is the unifying national language, Indonesia boasts remarkable linguistic diversity. Most Indonesians are multilingual, speaking their respective ethnic languages alongside the national language. Javanese and Sundanese are the most prominent regional languages, with extensive speaker populations.
Linguistic Communities The country's linguistic tapestry includes various ethnic language communities. Notable among these are Indonesian Chinese communities who maintain their linguistic heritage, with Hokkien dialect being prevalent in Medan and Teochew dialect prominent in Pontianak.
International Language Proficiency English language skills vary across Indonesia. While not universally spoken, English is reasonably understood in major urban centers and popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Batam, Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Hospitality and aviation professionals typically communicate in English at a basic to intermediate level.
Common Indonesian Phrases
Language Characteristics: Indonesian language pronunciation is relatively straightforward. Each letter consistently represents a single sound, with most pronunciations closely resembling their English counterparts.
Essential Conversational Phrases:
Greetings:
Good Morning = Selamat Pagi
Good Day = Selamat Siang
Good Afternoon = Selamat Sore
Good Evening/Good Night = Selamat Malam
Goodbye = Selamat Tinggal
Basic Interactions:
How are you? = Apa Kabar
I'm Fine/Good/Great = Baik-baik
Excuse me = Permisi
Sorry = Maaf
Please = Silahkan
Help! = Tolong!
Courtesies:
Thank You = Terima Kasih
You're Welcome = Terima kasih Kembali
Yes = Ya
No = Tidak
Polite Forms of Address:
Mr/Sir = Bapak
Ms/Madam = Ibu
Miss = Nona
Useful Practical Phrases:
How much/many = Berapa
How much is it (price)? = Berapa Harganya?
Where is... = Dimana....
How to get There = Bagaimana caranya kesana?
I want... = Saya Mau...
I don't want... = Saya Tidak Mau...