This information is general guidance and may change. Always verify official requirements before departure.
Essential Phrases
Halo (Hello) · Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam (Good morning/afternoon/evening/night) · Terima kasih (Thank you) · Sama-sama (You're welcome) · Maaf (Sorry/Excuse me) · Tolong (Please/Help) · Berapa harganya? (How much is it?) · Di mana…? (Where is…?) · Tidak mengerti (I don't understand).
Pronunciation Tips
Bahasa Indonesia uses a Latin alphabet and is largely phonetic. 'C' is pronounced like 'ch' in 'church'. 'J' is like English 'j'. Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable. Most Indonesians will understand and appreciate your attempts even with imperfect pronunciation.
Numbers & Bargaining
Satu (1), dua (2), tiga (3), empat (4), lima (5), enam (6), tujuh (7), delapan (8), sembilan (9), sepuluh (10), seratus (100), seribu (1,000). Mahal sekali (too expensive) and Bisa kurang? (Can you reduce?) are useful at markets.
Regional Languages
Indonesia has over 700 languages. In Bali you may encounter Balinese; in Java, Javanese. In tourist areas, basic English is widely spoken. Indonesian is always understood as a safe common language.
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