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Learn 5 simple basic Indonesian conversations with examples. A beginner-friendly guide to greetings, introductions, and simple daily conversation in Indonesian.
Introducing
Learning a new language always starts with the basics like greetings, asking how someone is doing, and introducing yourself. For learners of Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), practicing short and simple conversations is a key step to feeling confident in daily communication.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 simple basic Indonesian conversations that every beginner should learn. These examples are adapted from Basantara Bahasa Indonesia Tingkat Dasar, a resource for BIPA (Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing) learners. Each section includes the dialogue, English translation, new vocabulary, and expression patterns to help you practice.
Related reading: If you’re just starting, don’t miss our guide on Characteristic Indonesian Greetings (Sapaan Khas) to understand cultural ways of addressing people.
Basic Indonesian Conversation 1: Greeting in the Morning – Selamat Pagi!
Indonesians place great importance on greetings. A friendly “halo” or “selamat pagi” can open the door to more meaningful conversations.
Dialogue:
A: Halo!
B: Hai! Selamat pagi!
A: Pagi.
Translation:
A: Hello!
B: Hi! Good morning!
A: Morning.
New Vocabulary for This Basic Indonesian Conversation
- Halo → Hello
- Hai → Hi (informal)
- Pagi → morning
General word for morning. Example: Selamat pagi! (Good morning!). - Pagi ini → this morning
Refers to the current morning (today). Example: Pagi ini saya sarapan nasi goreng. (This morning I had fried rice for breakfast.) - Pagi hari → in the morning
Used to emphasize the time of day more generally, not just today. Example: Saya suka olahraga pada pagi hari. (I like to exercise in the morning.) - Pagi tadi → earlier this morning
Refers to the morning that already passed today. Example: Pagi tadi saya bertemu teman lama. (Earlier this morning I met an old friend.)
Expression Pattern to Practice
Selamat + [time of day] → greeting.
for example: Selamat pagi, selamat siang, selamat sore, selamat malam
Selamat + [ocassion/event] → congratulations/ good wishes.
for example: Selamat hari raya, selamat jalan
- Selamat ulang tahun! → Happy birthday!
Used when celebrating someone’s birthday. Common to say with warm wishes and sometimes give a small gift. - Selamat Natal! → Merry Christmas!
Used during Christmas (25 December). Even though not everyone in Indonesia is Christian, it’s polite and common to greet friends, neighbors, or colleagues who celebrate. - Selamat Idulfitri! → Happy Eid al-Fitr!
Said at the end of Ramadan, marking the big Muslim holiday. Often followed by the phrase Mohon maaf lahir dan batin (asking for forgiveness) - Selamat Hari Raya Imlek! → Happy Chinese New Year!
Used to greet Indonesian Chinese communities during Lunar New Year. Families gather, share food, and give red envelopes (angpao).
Practice Tip
Start your day by greeting someone in Indonesian. Instead of “Good morning,” say Selamat pagi!
Basic Indonesian Conversation 2: Asking How Someone Is – Apa Kabar?
After greetings, Indonesians often ask about someone’s well-being. The common phrase “Apa kabar?” literally means “What’s the news?” but is used the same way as “How are you?” in English.
Dialogue:
A: Apa kabar?
B: Baik-baik saja. Bagaimana kabar Anda?
A: Saya juga baik.
Translation:
A: How are you?
B: I’m fine. How are you?
A: I’m also fine.
New Vocabulary for This Basic Indonesian Conversation
- Apa → What
Used to ask about something. Example: Apa yang kamu makan? (What are you eating?). - Apa ini → What is this?
Used for something close to the speaker. - Apa itu → What is that?
Used for something farther away. - Bagaimana → How
Used to ask about condition or way. Example: Bagaimana kabarmu? (How are you?). - Bagaimana cuaca pagi ini → How is the weather this morning?
Common small talk, polite to ask. - Bagaimana caranya → How do you do it?
Used to ask for instructions. Example: Bagaimana caranya ke stasiun? (How to get to the station?). - Baik → Good / Fine
Simple reply to Apa kabar? - Baik hati → Kind-hearted
Used to describe someone’s character. - Baik-baik saja → I’m fine / Everything is okay
Used to reassure when asked Apa kabar?
Expression Pattern to Practice
Bagaimana + kabar + [formal pronoun] → (formal, polite)
for example: Bagaimana kabar Anda?
Bagaimana + kabar + -nya →(casual)
for example: Bagaimana kabarnya?
Apa kabar? → Baik / Baik-baik saja / Kurang baik/ Lumayan
Want to learn more? Check our lesson on Indonesian Pronouns (Kata Ganti Orang) to better understand when to use Anda, kamu, or dia.
Basic Indonesian Conversation 3: Saying Goodbye – Sampai Jumpa Besok!
Just as greetings are important, parting words matter too. Indonesians often use “sampai jumpa” (see you) to say goodbye in a friendly way. If you add a time expression, like “besok” (tomorrow), it shows when you expect to meet again.
Dialogue:
A: Sampai jumpa besok!
B: Ya, sampai jumpa lagi!
Translation:
A: See you tomorrow!
B: Yeah, see you again!
New Vocabulary for This Basic Indonesian Conversation
- Besok → Tomorrow
Used to talk about the next day. Example: Saya akan pergi besok. (I will go tomorrow.) - Besok pagi → Tomorrow morning
More specific, refers to the next morning. Example: Kita bertemu besok pagi. (We’ll meet tomorrow morning.) - Besok Senin → Next Monday
Used when “tomorrow” is followed by a day. Example: Besok Senin saya mulai kerja. (Next Monday I start work.) - Lagi → Again / currently
Has two common meanings depending on context. - Bertemu lagi → Meet again
Example: Senang bertemu lagi. (Nice to meet you again.) - Aku makan lagi → I eat again
Example: Aku lapar, jadi aku makan lagi. (I’m hungry, so I eat again.) - Aku lagi makan (informal) → I’m eating (right now)
Example: Jangan ganggu, aku lagi makan. (Don’t disturb me, I’m eating.)
Note: “lagi” is very common in daily conversation. Beginners should learn both meanings:
- “again” (repetition)
- “currently/ in the middle of” (ongoing action, informal
Expression Pattern to Practice
Sampai jumpa + [time expression] → Sampai jumpa besok / nanti / minggu depan
Practice Tip
Use Sampai jumpa! instead of “Goodbye” for a natural Indonesian farewell.
Basic Indonesian Conversation 4: Introducing Yourself – Siapa Nama Anda?
When meeting someone new, it’s common to ask their name and where they live.
Dialogue:
A: Siapa nama Anda?
B: Nama saya Nita.
A: Di mana Anda tinggal?
B: Saya tinggal di Jakarta.
Translation:
A: What is your name?
B: My name is Nita.
A: Where do you live?
B: I live in Jakarta.
New Vocabulary for This Basic Indonesian Conversation
- Nama → Name
General word for someone’s or something’s name. Example: Nama saya Andi. (My name is Andi.) - Apa nama buah ini? → What is the name of this fruit?
Used to ask the name of something nearby. - Nama lengkap → Full name
Example: Tolong tulis nama lengkap Anda. (Please write your full name.) - Tinggal → Live / stay
Verb to show where someone resides. Example: Dia tinggal di Korea Selatan. → He/She lives in South Korea. - Tempat tinggal → Residence / place to live
Example: Di mana alamat tempat tinggal Anda? (Where is your residential address?)
Note:
- Nama can be used for people, objects, or places.
- Tinggal is usually followed by di + place.
- Tempat tinggal is more formal, often used in documents or official contexts.
Expression Pattern to Practice
Siapa + [noun/subject] → Asking “Who …?”
for example: Siapa nama ibu Anda? , Siapa nama ayahmu?
Di mana + [place/subject] → Asking “Where …?”
for example: Di mana rumahmu?, Di mana alamatnya?
Tip:
- Anda is polite/formal → “your” (formal).
- Mu is informal → “your” (casual, for friends).
- -Nya means “his/her/its” depending on context.
You’ll notice “di mana” here as one of the Interrogative Words (Kata Tanya) that’s very useful for making conversations.
Basic Indonesian Conversation 5: Asking the Time – Permisi, Sekarang Jam Berapa?
Knowing how to ask the time is very useful in daily life. In Indonesian, you can say “Sekarang jam berapa?” which means “What time is it now?” Adding “permisi” (excuse me) makes the question more polite.
Dialogue:
A: Permisi, sekarang jam berapa?
B: Sekarang jam dua siang.
A: Baik, terima kasih.
Translation:
A: Excuse me, what time is it now?
B: It’s two o’clock in the afternoon.
A: Okay, thank you.
New Vocabulary for This Basic Indonesian Conversation
- Permisi → Excuse me
Used to politely get attention, pass by, or excuse yourself. Saya permisi dulu. → I’ll leave first. (Commonly said when leaving a group politely)
Permisi, ya. → Excuse me. (Casual and polite, often when passing through a crowd or entering a room)
Sekarang → Now / at the moment
Shows the present time or immediate action.Sekarang jam lima sore. → It’s five in the afternoon now. (Often used when telling time)
- Saya pergi sekarang. → I am going now. (Used when announcing immediate action)
Expression Pattern to Practice
Sekarang jam + [number] + [time of day] → To tell the current time
for example:
- Sekarang jam tiga sore → It’s 3 PM
- Sekarang jam delapan pagi → It’s 8 AM
Berapa + [noun] → Asking about quantity or price
for example:
Berapa jam? → How many hours?
Berapa harga jam tangan ini? → How much is this watch?
Pensilmu berapa? → How much is your pencil? (casual, common in daily conversations when asking price)
Berapa + lama → Asking about duration
for example:
Berapa lama? → How long? (used for duration of time)
Tanggal + berapa → Asking about a specific date
for example:
Tanggal berapa? → What date (is it)?
For a deeper dive into telling time, visit our guide on Indonesian Time and Calendar..
Conclusion
These 5 simple basic Indonesian conversations are the building blocks for everyday communication. By practicing greetings, small talk, introductions, goodbyes, and asking the time, you’ll gain confidence in speaking Indonesian naturally.
Next step: Practice with a partner or record yourself speaking the dialogues. The more often you repeat them, the more natural they will feel.
If you’re learning Indonesian, don’t stop here — check out related lessons on Numbers in Indonesian, and Indonesian Negative Sentences (Kalimat Negasi) to expand your skills step by step.
