Indonesian Slang is your travel phrase book of colloquial Indonesian, while in and around Indonesia. Use it for important communication, tell them what you are up to or having a laugh with the locals
Indonesian
Indonesia is a large, diverse and widely spread out country. It had in the past many different languages and dialects. When the new country was declared in 1945, the Riau dialect which was close to Malaysia was declared the official language of the country. It is a very easy language to learn, also because it is written in the same script as European languages so after a while you can start deciphering common words that you see.
These days the many varied islands use Bahasa Indonesia as a lingua franca, so that they can understand each other from Papua to Banda Aceh, and Saluwesi to Flores. While travelling in places like Bali you might learn words from local dialect like “Sing Ken Ken Blee”- no worries Bro, which is “Tidak apa apa” in Indonesian, highlighting the differences between islands.
Indonesian is very close to the Malaysian language but differs from heavy influences of Dutch language during their colonialsim as opposed to English in Malaysia, and also local dialects.
the Indonesian archipelago
Meeting,Greeting & Salutations
Ada kabar baru?- Tidak banyak
What’s New? Nothing Much
Apa kabar?/ Baik, terima kasih/ Dan kamu? Baik / Biasa saja
How are you? I’m Fine, Thanks!/ And You? Good/ So-So.
Bagus- good
Bhay- bye
Hati Hati!
Take care
Kamu baik sekali
You’re Very Kind
Lama tidak bertemu
Long time no see
Macama (Sama-sama)
You’re welcome
Makacih/Makasih (Terima kasih)
Thank you
Maacih (Terima kasih)
Thank you
Panjang sekali!- Goodbye/farewell
Salam saya ke keluarga Anda
My greetings to your family
Salam sejahtera- Hello
Sampai jumpa besok!
See you tomorrow
Semoga harimu menyenangkan
Have a nice day
Selamat makan! enjoy your meal
Tidur yang nyenyak!- Sleep well!
Day to Day
Ada apa?
What’s the matter?
Cekidot- Check it out!
Dugem yuk!
Let’s party
Habis?
Finished?
Hei teman! Hey! Friend!
Ikutlah saya!
Come With Me!
Mengerti?
Get the picture? (do you follow?)
Nga pain?
What’s happening?
Nih! Here You Go! (when giving something)
Saya mau satu bir bintang dingin sekali
I would like a very cold bintang (star)beer
Selamat?
Is it safe?
Selow aja, man!
Take it easy!
Sing ken-ken bile(Bali)
No worries bro
Sudah?
Have you finished yet?
Tambah lagi?
Do you want more?
Tidak apa apa
No worries
Balinese dancer
Explain Yourself
Aku sedang kesulitan
I’m in deep shit
Amsyong- Damn it!
Apa sih? What’s up?
Bangsat!- Goddammit!
Bacot lu diem aja
Shut up
Bakal jadi rame nih
The shit is going to hit the fan
Benar! Really
Bujuk dah!
Holy shit!
Emangnya kenapa?
So what?
Hidup memang tidak mudah
Life is a bitch
Jangan gugup
Don’t have kittens
Jangan kuatir Don’t Worry!
Kacian deh lo!
Pity you!
Kamu sudah menerima balasanmu
You got what you deserve
Kamu kusut sekali
You look like shit
Ke laut aja
Forget it! (go to sea)
Makan tai! Eat shit
Makan tidur kamu
You do nothing!
Monyet! Monkey swear
Pergi sana!
Go away!
Saya benar-benar kacau
I’m screwed
Saya merasa tidak sehat
I Feel Sick.
Saya tidak tahu
I have no idea! I don’t know
Sudahlah, jangan menggangguku
Get off my back
Tau ah gelap
My mind is blank (don’t know it’s dark)
Terkutuklah engkau semua!
I curse you all
Tong kesong nyaring bunyina
Empty vessels make the most noise
Ya ampan- No way
