What Language is Spoken in Bali and Indonesia?
Indonesia’s official language is Bahasa, and is used throughout the country. It’s the language taught in schools and used in official communication. Watch local TV, and this is the language you’ll hear. Most Indonesians also have their own ethnic language and dialect, with the most widely spoken being Javanese and Sundanese. Some ethnic Chinese communities continue to speak various Chinese dialects, most notably Hokkien in Medan and Teochew in Pontianak.
In Indonesia, English is not as widely spoken as in some other SE Asian countries. However, in touristy areas, as well as the bigger cities and commercial hubs such as Bali or Jakarta, English as a second language is quite common. Locals working in the tourism sector will most likely speak a fair level of English.
It’s always a good idea to learn a few basic phrases when travelling to a country – particularly if you plan on being there longer than a holiday. Indonesians will appreciate any effort you make in communicating in Bahasa.
Indonesian pronunciation is relatively easy to learn. Each letter always represents the same sound and most letters are pronounced similarly as you would in English.
Learn these basic Bahasa phrases to get around in Bali and Indonesia
- Good Morning: Selamat Pagi
- Good Day: Selamat Siang
- Good Afternoon: Selamat Sore
- Good Evening/Good Night: Selamat Malam
- Goodbye: Selamat Tinggal
- How are you?: Apa Kabar
- Are you OK?: Apakah kamu baik?
- I’m Fine/Good/Great: Baik-baik
- Excuse me: Permisi
- Sorry: Maaf
- Please: Silahkan
- Help!: Tolong!
- Thank You: Terima Kasih (Balinesse: Suksma)
- You’re Welcome: Terima kasih Kembali (Balinese: Matur Mewali)
- Yes: Ya
- No: Tidak
- Correct: Betul
- Wrong: Salah
- Clever: Pintar / Pandai (this is good to praise student in class)
- Mr/Sir: Bapak
- Ms/Ms/Madam: Ibu
- Miss: Nona
- I : Saya
- You: Kamu / Anda
- She / He : Dia
- We: Kami / Kita
- 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…
- I want to eat…: Saya mau makan…
- I want to order…: Saya mau pesan..
- I want to go… : Saya mau pergi…
- Can I have.… : Boleh saya minta…..
- Sorry, I forget… : Maaf, saya lupa…
- Please sit down: Silahkan duduk
- Please stand up: Silahkan berdiri
- Be quiet: Jangan berisik
- Left: Kiri
- Right: Kanan
- Straight: Lurus
- U turn: Putar balik
- Round about: Bundaran
- Traffic Light: Lampu Merah
Further reading about Bali and Indonesia:
Why Do Your TEFL Course in Bali, Indonesia
