Basic Indonesian phrases for travel

Excuse me

per-MEE-see

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

The safest all-purpose opener, for getting someone’s attention or squeezing past.

• Sorry Maaf mah-AHF

Please

TOH-long

Add it to any order or request.

Use before requests. At the end of a request, “ya” often softens it naturally.

Thank you

tuh-REE-mah KAH-see

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Thank you very much

tuh-REE-mah KAH-see BAH-nyak

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

You’re welcome

SAH-mah SAH-mah

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

• No worries Nggak apa-apa nggak AH-pah AH-pah

I’m sorry

mah-AHF

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

Yes

EE-yah

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

No

TEE-dak

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

• Casual Nggak nggak

Okay

OH-keh

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

• Sounds good Boleh BOH-leh

Perfect

pahs suh-KAH-lee

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

That works for me

BEE-sah buh-GEE-too

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

No problem

TEE-dak AH-pah AH-pah

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

• Casual Nggak apa-apa nggak AH-pah AH-pah

One moment, please

suh-BEN-tar yah

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

Could you help me, please?

BEE-sah BAHN-too SIGH-yah

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

Hello

HAH-loh

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

• Muslim greeting Assalamualaikum ah-sah-lah-moo-ah-LIGH-koom

Hi

high

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

Good morning

suh-LAH-maht PAH-gee

Use it until around midday when you greet staff in a shop, café or hotel.

Good afternoon

suh-LAH-maht see-AHNG

For the stretch between lunch and evening. When people switch to “good evening” varies, so follow what locals say to you.

Good evening

suh-LAH-maht MAH-lahm

The greeting for later in the day: walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Used after dark; it can mean both good evening and good night.

Goodbye

SAHM-pigh JOOM-pah

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

• Casual Dadah DAH-dah

See you later

SAHM-pigh NAHN-tee

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

Have a good day

suh-MOH-gah HAH-ree-moo muh-nyuh-NAHN-kan

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

My name is [name]

NAH-mah SIGH-yah [NAH-mah]

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

How are you?

AH-pah KAH-bar

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

• Casual Gimana kabarnya? gee-MAH-nah KAH-bar-nyah

I’m well, thank you

bah-EEK tuh-REE-mah KAH-see

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

Nice to meet you

suh-NAHNG ber-TUH-moo DUH-ngahn AHN-dah

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.