Essential Indonesian Phrases for Travel: 24 Phrases You'll Actually Use
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is spoken across more than 17,000 islands, from Bali to Java and Lombok. It is one of the easiest Asian languages for travellers: Latin alphabet, no tones and simple grammar.
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | Indonesian |
|---|---|
| Hello | Halo / Selamat pagi |
| Goodbye | Sampai jumpa |
| Please | Tolong / Silakan |
| Thank you | Terima kasih |
| Yes | Ya |
| No | Tidak |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Permisi / Maaf |
| I don't understand | Saya tidak mengerti |
| Do you speak English? | Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris? |
At the restaurant
| English | Indonesian |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Meja untuk dua orang |
| The menu, please | Boleh minta menu? |
| Water, please | Minta air putih |
| The bill, please | Minta bon |
| It's delicious | Enak sekali |
Getting around and shopping
| English | Indonesian |
|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Toilet di mana? |
| Where is the station? | Stasiun di mana? |
| How much is it? | Berapa harganya? |
| Can you write it down? | Bisa ditulis? |
Emergencies and health
| English | Indonesian |
|---|---|
| Help! | Tolong! |
| I need a doctor | Saya butuh dokter |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Apotek di mana? |
| Call the police! | Panggil polisi! |
| I'm lost | Saya tersesat |
Practical tips
- "Tolong" is used to ask for help or a favour; "Silakan" is "please, go ahead" when offering.
- "Terima kasih" (thank you) is answered with "Sama-sama" (you're welcome).
- Use your right hand to give or receive things — the left hand is considered impolite.
- Bali has its own Balinese language, but everyone also speaks Indonesian.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and Indonesian, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in Indonesian. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Indonesian the same as Malay?
They are very close and mostly mutually understandable, with some differences in vocabulary and spelling.
Can my phone speak Indonesian for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in Indonesian, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.