While Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin often steal the spotlight, Indonesian is secretly one of the most accessible Asian languages for English speakers. With no complicated tones and using the same alphabet we're already familiar with, you can start speaking right away.
In this post, I'll show you 9 simple Indonesian greetings that will make locals smile and help you navigate social situations with confidence. Whether you're planning a trip to Bali, chatting with Indonesian friends, or just curious about expanding your language skills, these friendly expressions will get you started on the right foot.
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Why Learn How to Say Hello in Indonesian?
Learning a few Indonesian greetings does more than just help you navigate basic conversations. You see, Indonesia spans over 17,000 islands with more than 270 million people, making it the fourth most populous country in the world. The language serves as a bridge across this incredibly diverse nation.
While it's true that many Indonesians speak English in tourist areas, the locals genuinely appreciate it when visitors try speaking their language. Taking just five minutes to learn these greetings gives you real advantages:
- You'll get friendlier service everywhere
- You'll often pay lower prices
- You'll find help more easily when lost
- You'll make local friends faster
- You'll have better travel stories to tell
Indonesian phrases are surprisingly easy to pronounce for English speakers since they use the same alphabet and have consistent pronunciation rules. Unlike Chinese or Thai, there are no tones to master, and unlike Japanese, there's no new writing system to learn.
How To Say Hello In Indonesian
Learning Indonesian greetings is surprisingly straightforward. Most formal greetings start with "Selamat" (pronounced "suh-LAH-mat"), which essentially wishes someone safety, peace, or happiness. Different words are then added to match the time of day.
1. Selamat pagi – Good morning
This cheerful greeting starts your day right! "Selamat pagi" (suh-LAH-mat PAH-gee) is used from sunrise until around 11 am. The "a" in "pagi" sounds like the "a" in "father," and the "i" is pronounced like "ee." Indonesians often use this greeting while getting coffee or breakfast, heading to work, or starting their daily activities.
2. Selamat siang – Good day
As noon approaches, switch to "Selamat siang" (suh-LAH-mat see-AHNG). This covers the midday hours from around 11 am until about 3-4 pm. Be careful with your pronunciation here! The "i" in "siang" should sound like "ee" – if you accidentally say "sai-ang," you'd be saying "sweetheart" instead of "good day," which could lead to some awkward moments with your taxi driver.
3. Selamat sore – Good afternoon
When late afternoon arrives, Indonesians use "Selamat sore" (suh-LAH-mat SOH-ray). This greeting covers the time from around 4 pm until sunset, typically 6-7 pm. The "e" at the end is pronounced like the "ay" in "day." You'll hear this greeting frequently in shops and restaurants as people finish work and begin evening activities.
4. Selamat malam – Good evening
After sunset, "Selamat malam" (suh-LAH-mat MAH-lahm) becomes the right greeting. Both "a" sounds are like the "a" in "father." This greeting works throughout the evening hours. Unlike in English, where "good night" often means goodbye, "Selamat malam" is a greeting used when meeting someone in the evening.
5. Selamat tidur – Good night
"Selamat tidur" (suh-LAH-mat TEE-dur) is specifically for when someone is going to bed. Unlike the other time-based greetings, this isn't for meeting people but for wishing them a good sleep. The "i" sounds like "ee" and the "u" like "oo" in "moon." You might say this to family members or hotel staff before heading to bed.
6. Halo – Hello
When you want to keep things simple, "Halo" (HAH-loh) works perfectly! This casual, all-purpose greeting can be used any time of day. It's particularly good with friends, people your age, or in relaxed settings like cafes or beaches. The pronunciation is similar to the English "hello" but with a short, crisp "a" sound.
Common Responses to Indonesian Greetings
When someone greets you in Indonesian, knowing how to reply appropriately will help your conversation flow naturally. Here are some typical responses you'll want to have ready:
| Indonesian Phrase | Pronunciation | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Baik | BIKE | The standard response to "Apa kabar?" (How are you?) |
| Baik-baik saja | BIKE-BIKE sah-JAH | "I'm doing very well" - a bit more enthusiastic |
| Kabar baik | KAH-bar BIKE | Another way to say "I'm fine" (literally "good news") |
| Saya dari Amerika/Australia/etc. | SAH-yah DAH-ree (country) | Response to "Dari mana?" (Where are you from?) |
| Nama saya John/Sarah/etc. | NAH-mah SAH-yah (name) | "My name is..." when introducing yourself |
| Sudah | SOO-dah | "Yes, I have" - response to "Sudah makan?" (Have you eaten?) |
| Belum | buh-LOOM | "Not yet" - alternative response to "Have you eaten?" |
| Ya, saya suka di sini | YAH, SAH-yah SOO-kah dee SEE-nee | "Yes, I like it here" - response to "Do you like it here?" |
| Saya baru sampai | SAH-yah BAH-roo SAHM-pie | "I just arrived" - response to "How long have you been here?" |
These responses will cover most basic greeting situations. Indonesians tend to be very friendly and appreciate even small attempts at speaking their language, so don't worry about perfect pronunciation. Just smile and try your best!
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Conversation Starters After Your Greeting
After using your initial greeting, you might want to keep the conversation flowing naturally. These useful phrases will help you connect with Indonesian speakers and show genuine interest in getting to know them better.
| Indonesian Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dari mana? | DAH-ree MAH-nah | Where are you from? |
| Nama saya... | NAH-mah SAH-yah... | My name is... |
| Sudah makan? | SOO-dah MAH-kahn | Have you eaten? |
| Mau ke mana? | MAU keh MAH-nah | Where are you going? |
| Senang tinggal di sini? | suh-NAHNG TING-gahl dee SEE-nee | Do you like living here? |
| Sudah lama di Indonesia? | SOO-dah LAH-mah dee in-doh-NEE-see-ah | Have you been in Indonesia long? |
| Bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia? | BEE-sah bee-CHAH-rah bah-HAH-sah in-doh-NEE-see-ah | Can you speak Indonesian? |
These simple conversation starters work well in casual settings and often lead to friendly chats. Indonesians generally appreciate visitors who try to learn their language, so even attempting these basic phrases can open doors to wonderful conversations and new friendships.
Learn To Say Hello in Many Languages with Lingopie
Ready to go beyond saying hello in Indonesian? Learning a new language opens doors to different cultures and creates meaningful connections with people around the world. While memorizing greetings is a great first step, building real conversation skills requires more practice.
Lingopie makes language learning fun and effective by turning your entertainment time into learning time. Through movies, TV shows, and videos in different languages, you'll pick up natural expressions and proper pronunciation from native speakers.
Though Lingopie doesn't currently offer Indonesian courses, you can learn how to say hello and much more in languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese. The platform's interactive dual subtitles let you click on any word to see its translation, and you can save phrases to review later.
Start your language journey today with Lingopie. Soon, you'll confidently greet people in multiple languages with a simple hello and full conversations that create lasting connections!
FAQ: Key Questions About Indonesian Greetings
What's the difference between formal and casual Indonesian greetings?
The time-based greetings like "Selamat pagi" work for both formal and casual situations, but it's how you say them that matters. For casual settings with friends, you can shorten to just "Pagi!" with a smile. For formal settings like business meetings or with elders, use the full "Selamat pagi" with a slight bow. The casual "Halo" works with friends but isn't ideal for formal settings. The real formality difference comes in follow-up words - use "Anda" instead of "kamu" when addressing someone formally.
How do I respond when someone asks "Apa kabar?"
When an Indonesian asks "Apa kabar?" (How are you?), the standard response is simply "Baik" (good). You can add emphasis by saying "Baik-baik saja" (very good) or be more complete with "Kabar baik, terima kasih" (I'm well, thank you). If you're not feeling great, "Kurang baik" means "not so good." Most Indonesians expect a positive response as this question is often just a formality. Follow up by asking them the same question: "Apa kabar Anda?" to keep the conversation flowing naturally.
What's the biggest pronunciation mistake people make with Indonesian greetings?
The most common mistake is mixing up "siang" (day) with "sayang" (sweetheart). If you say "Selamat sayang" to your taxi driver, you've just called them "darling" instead of wishing them a good day! The correct pronunciation for "siang" is "see-AHNG" with a clear "ee" sound. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing "Selamat" with equal stress on all syllables. The correct stress falls on the middle syllable: "se-LAH-mat" with a very light final "t" sound.
Is a handshake appropriate when greeting Indonesians?
Yes, handshakes are common in Indonesia, but they're softer than Western handshakes. Offer a gentle touch rather than a firm grip, especially when greeting women or elders. After shaking hands, it's customary to lightly touch your heart with your right hand as a sign of sincerity. With elders, it's respectful to slightly bow your head during the handshake. In some regions, particularly in Java, you might see people raising their joined hands to their nose or forehead after shaking - this is a sign of deep respect called "salim" and is mainly done toward elders.
