Bahasa Indonesian - The National Language

Although Bali has its own language, Bahasa Indonesia (literally, "Language Indonesian") is the official language throughout Indonesia - so most Balinese will understand it. It is also more appropriate to use, because there are many Indonesians from other islands working on Bali. In short, it can be used to speak with most anyone on the island.

The grammar is quite simple. Sentences usually take the sequence of subject, verb, object. There are no articles ("a"' or "the"). There are no tenses for verbs. Words like "yesterday" (kemarin) and "tomorrow" (besok) are placed at the beginning of a sentence to indicate time. Questions are usually indicated by question words, but sometimes by raising the pitch of the voice at the end of the sentence. It's also possible to make a question by adding "kali" to the end of the word which asks the question. Generally, the last syllable of a word is emphasised.
 
Try learning some Indonesian words and phrases. The Balinese will understand that at least you are making an attempt to learn the language.
 
The first words you will say to a local each morning are "selamat pagi" - good morning. If he or she helps you or gives you something, say "terima kasi" - thank you. The reply might be "sama sama" or "terima kasih terlalu".
 
Vowels are more like Latin or Spanish vowels; English equivalents are given below. There are a few exceptions with consonants.

Vowels and Consonants

a as in cat|c is ch as in cheap**

e as in set|k is c as in cr**

i as in me|g as in give**

o as in not|ng as in sing**

u as in you|h as in help, but exhale more**

ai as in bike|r is rolled as rrr in Scots**

au as in posh now| ...**

Pronouns and Useful phrases

I/my - saya|I want it - saya mau**

you  - kamu/anda|I do not want it - Saya tidak mau**

he/she - ia/dia|What is your name? - Siapa nama**

we        - maki|My name is Wayan - Nama saya Wayan**

they      - mereka|....**

Greetings and civilities

Good morning|Selamat pagi**

Good afternoon (11am-3pm)|Selamat Siang**

Good afternoon/evening|Selamat sore**

Good night|Selamat malam**

Sleep well|Selamat tidur**

Goodbye - when leaving|Selamat Tinggal**

Goodbye - when staying|Selamat jalan**

Please|Silahkan**

Thank you|Terima kasi**

Welcome (arrival)|Selamat datang**

You are welcome/Don't mention it|Sama sama**

Sorry|ma'af**

Excuse me|Permisi**

Beautiful/pretty|Indah**

Love; to love|Cinta**

 

 

Questions

What|apa**

Who|siapa**

When|kapan**

Where is?|Dimana ada**

Where to|Kemana**

From where?|Darimana**

How|bagaimana**

Why|Mengapa**

May I?|Boleh**

How are you?|Apa kabar?**

Quantity

all|semua**

some|lain**

little|sedikit**

Many|banyak**

Time and Days

day|hari**

today|hari ini**

tonight|malam ini**

yesterday|kemarin**

tomorrow|besok**

Monday|Hari Senin**

Tuesday|Hari Selasa**

Wednesday|Hari Rebo**

Thursday|Hari Kamis**

Friday|Hari Jumat**

Saturday|Hari Sabtu**

Sunday|Hari Minggu**

Week|Minggu**

Month|Bulan**

Year|Tahun**

Morning|pagi**

Afternoon - 11am-3pm|siang**

Evening|sore**

Night|malam**

Seven o'clock|jam tujuh (hour 7)**

Seven thirty|jam(hour) tujuh(7) lewat(past) tigapuluh (thirty)**

Quick Words

yes|ya**

no|tidak - before verbs**

no|bukan - before noun**

not yet|belum**

well|baik baik**

good - agreeable|bagus**

bad|jahat**

wrong|salah**

village|desa**

community|banjar**

street/walk|jalan**

Shopping Terms

How much?|berapa**

Money|rupiah**

Cheap|murah**

Expensive|Mahal**

Big|besar**

Small|kecil**

Long|panang**

Short|pendek**

What is this?|Apa ini?**

How much?|Berapa?**

Shoe/s|sepatu**

Trousers|celana**

Dress -skirt|rok**

Silver|perak**

Gold|mas**

Watch - clock|arloji - jam**

People

Family|keluarga**

Husband|suami**

Wife|isteri**

Child|anak**

Boy|laki-laki**

Girl|perempuan**

Sir|Tuan**

Madam|Nyonya**

Mr|pak, bapak**

Mrs| Ibu**

Miss|Nova**

 

Direction and Transport

left| kiri**

right| kanaan**

north| utara**

south| selatan**

east| timur**

west|barat**

straight ahead| terus (t'roos)**

stop| berhenti, stop**

street| jalan**

car| mobil**

motor bike| sepeda, motor**

petrol,fuel station|pompa bensin**

Please wait here| Tolong menunggu disini**

market, bazaar| pasar**

Go up| Naik**

Go down| Turun**

Turn right|Berputar kanan**

Turn left|Berputar kiri**

Front| Depan**

Behind| Belakang**

Can you help me?| Dapatka anda membantu / menolong saya?**

How far?| Seberapa jauh?**

How long will it take?| Seberapa lama?**

How do I get there?| Bagamana cara untuk kesana?**

What is your name?| Siapa nama anda?**

What is this / that?| Apa ini / itu?**

 

 

Beginner Indonesian Language Course

Every Mon - Fri from: Monday 5 May to: Friday 23 May

Sanur, Ubud, Canggu and Kuta

40 Hour course with Yayasan Cinta Bahasa Indonesian Language School. 2 hours for 4 weeks will have you speaking with the people around you.

High-quality learner-centred Indonesian language training, focusing on your specific learning needs and your individual learning goals. Indonesian as it is spoken everywhere. If you’re serious about learning to communicate in the Indonesian Language with the people around you, you’ve come to the right school.

Cinta Bahasa's 12 Teachers are University-educated, certified, trained and have many years of experience teaching Bahasa Indonesia to new language learners with Indonesia’s top Indonesian language schools.

MAIN SCHOOL: Cinta Bahasa – Ubud, Jl. Raya Sanggingan 88x, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Across from Indus Restaurant in Indomaret Level 2.

Office Hours: 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday

BRANCH SCHOOLS: Cinta Bahasa – Sanur, The Sanur Space, Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai, Sanur

Cinta Bahasa – Canggu, Pererenan, Jl. Raya Sempol, Pererenan, Canggu

Cinta Bahasa – Kuta, Little Tree Bali, Sunset Road, Kuta.

All branches by Appointment. Phone or email. Details at http://cintabahasa.com/

Phone: 081239165005 Email: cintabahasa.school@gmail.com

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