250 Basic Words in Indonesian For Beginner

There are  many words in Indonesian with its different  meaning.

Basic words in Indonesian for beginners is easy to learn because one word usually has its own meaning, which means it has one meaning.
It is a bit different  from prefix or suffix in Indonesia. If there are many suffix and prefix in one word, it has different meaning each other.
However, in this section, we are not going to learn prefix or suffix in Indonesian. What we learn is Basic words in Indonesian for beginners.

The previous section explains about formal and informal situation.

In basic Indonesian words for beginners, we also have to know the differentiation between formal and informal basic words.
It is just the same as English. There must be informal and formal basic words.
For new beginners, it is necessary to know basic words in Indonesia that mostly used by Indonesian people in daily activities.
In basic Indonesian words for beginners, we also need to learn compound words.
English has compound words, then Indonesian also has compound words.

However, the most important thing is you have to know all basic words whether it is formal or informal even compound words.
First of all, for beginners, we are going to learn and read basic words in Indonesian whether they are formal or informal even compound words.
In this section, we don’t have to make a different between them. We only need to read and memorize some lists of basic words.

Basic Greetings in Indonesian

Basic greetings in Indonesian are basic greetings in words which are used in situation based on informal or formal situation.
When you are going to meet or congratulate someone, you can apply these list of words.

Semoga berhasil! Good luck! Get well soon!

Semoga cepat sembuh! Get well soon!
Selamat pagi! Morning!/ Good morning!
Selamat malam! Good evening or Good night!
Selamat! Congratulations!
Selamat tidur! Sleep tight!
Selamat Natal! Merry Christmast!
Selamat Idul Fitri! Eid Mubarak/ Happy Eid!
Selamat bersenang- senang! Have fun!
Mimpi indah! Have a nice dream!
Hai! Hi!
Halo! Hello!
Apa kabar? How are you?
Lama tidak berjumpa! Long time no see!
Apakah kamu baik-baik saja? Are you okay?

All words above are also called as ‘’basic greetings’’ in Indonesian.

Usually, they are used by  people in all ages in Indonesia and they understand what its meaning in some situations.

Food and Drink in Indonesian for Basic Words

Food and drink in Indonesian for Basic Words are used to express and say what kind of food look like.
There are some food that can be translated into English,
but also there are some food that cannot be translated into English because Indonesians have their own language to say kind of food.

Indonesian Food and Drink That Can be Translated into English

Some food and drink in Indonesia have its own meaning in English.
It means, they can be translated into English because there are some food like the following food in UK.

Nasi – Rice
Mi – Noodles
Nasi goreng – Friedrice
Gula – sugar
Madu – Honey
Susu – Milk
Teh manis – Sweet tea
Kopi – Coffee
Keju – Cheese
Roti – Bread
Ayam Goreng – Fried Chicken
Saus – Sauce
Coklat – Chocolate
Air – Water
Sayur – Vegetables
Jus – juice
Daging – Meal
Kue – Cake
Indonesian Food and Drink That Cannot be Translated into English
In Indonesia, there are food that cannot be translated into English because there are no food like that in Europe or America.
However, we are going to explain what the food look like in English.

Sate or Satai – A kind of Indonesian food consists of frozen rize and small meals watered by thick condiment with a hot taste.
Ketoprak – A kind of Indonesian food consists of frozen rice along with noodle watered by spicy peanut sauce or water.
Rendang – A typical Indonesian meat formulated  with spice herb of Indonesia.
Seblak -A typical Indonesian spicy food and very hot to be tasted.
Bandrek – A typical Indonesian beverages created from  Indonesian spices. It can be usefull to warm your body and make you feel better.
Bajigur – A typical Indonesian beverages that almost the same as bandrek. The different is bajigur is sweeter than bandrek.
Soto – An Indonesian food consists of chicken, noodles, and water with Indonesian spices.
Martabak – An Indonesian food consists of cake and milk along with frozen blackrice inside of the cake. It is steamed so the food can be eaten.

See?
Those words are Indonesiaan food and drink which exist in Europe or America.
However there are also Indonesian food that is not exist in both.
They only exist in Indonesia

Animals in Indonesian Basic Words

Animals exist in all over the world.
Surely, they may also called in different language in different country.
Many animals in Indonesia which can be translated into English.

Kuda – Horse
Tikus – Mouse
Kucing – Cat
Beruang – Bear
Burung –  Bird
Singa – Lion
Harimau – Tiger
Ular – Snake
Kerbau – Buffalo
Buaya – Crocodile
Gajah – Elephant
Serigala – Wolf
Semut – Ant
Laba - laba – Spider
Cicak – Lizard
Nyamuk – Mosquito
Lalat – Flies
Katak – Frog
Cacing – Worm
Naga – Dragon
Jerapah – Giraffe
Musang – Weasel
Sapi – Cow
Rusa – Deer
Domba – Lamb

Equipment in Indonesian Basic Words

Equipment is apparatus that can be used to fix or create something useful.
If there are some equipment in Indonesian, they can be translated into English.

Meja – Table
Pensil – Pencil
Palu – Hammer
Gunting – Scissor
Sapu – Broom
Sikat – Brush
Kain pel – Mop
Penggunting kuku – Nail clippers
Sisir – Comb
Tang – Pliers
Paku – Spike
Kuas cat – Paintbrush
Gayung – Water dipper
Sikat gigi – Tooth brush
Mesin cuci – Washing machine
Saklar – Switch
Kabel – Cable
Kayu – Wood
Kipas angin – electric fan
Limbs in Basic Indonesian Words
Limbs are part of human bodies.

Kepala – Head
Mata – Eyes
Hidung – Nose
Mulut – Mouth
Alis mata – Eyebrow
Bulu mata – Eyelashes
Bibir – Lips
Lidah – Tongue
Gigi – Tooth (Teeth)
Pipi – Cheek
Dahi – Forehead
Rambut – Hair
Telinga – Ears
Dagu – Chin
Leher – Neck
Pundak – Shouldiers
Dada – Chest
Payudara – Breast
Tangan – Hand
Jari – Fingers
Kuku – Nail
Perut – Stomach
Pantat – Buttock
Paha – Thigh
Lutut – Knee
Kaki – Foot (leg)
Tumit – Heel
Kemaluan – Genital

Musical Instrument in Indonesian Basic Words

Musical instrument exists in all over the world.
Indonesian musical instrument is very unique because so many musical instrument which only exist in Indonesia.
First of all, we are going to lists musical instrument that exists in all over the world which also exists in Indonesia.

Gitar – Guitar
Dram – Drum
Bass –  Bass
Lecapi – Harp
Piano – Piano
Keyboard – Keyboard
Terompet –  Trumpet
Pianika – Inflatable piano
Gendang senar – Drum string
Seruling – Flute
Gendang –  Tambour
Rebana – Tambourine
Launch pad – Launchpad (DJ instrumental)

However, sometimes some music instruments in Indonesia is not exist in other countries.
‘’Flute ‘’ for example.
Flute in Indonesia is a bit different from flute in other countries.
The way in using flute even strains of flute in Indonesia is more local. Once you come to Indonesia, you will notice the different.

There are aslo some music instrumental in Indonesia which not exist in other countries such as ‘’Ketipung (Sundanesse).
‘’Ketipung’’ made by Sundanesse people in Indonesia.It sounds like small tambourine but a bit different.
There are still many kinds of tambourine that difficult to be classified because they only have names in Indonesian.
Again, you need to memorize those words.
Fruits in Basic Indonesian Words
Everybody knows fruits, some people eat fruits and make them into juice.
People all over the world must be know what fruits look like.

Mangga – Mango
Apel – Apple
Jeruk – Orange
Jambu biji – Guava
Anggur –  Grape
Pisang – Banana
Semangka – Watermelon
Pepaya – Papaya
Pir – Pear
Kurma – Date (Palm)
Sirsak – Soursop
Nanas – Pineapple
Markisa – Passion fruit
Melon – Melon
Bengkuang – bengkoang (only exist in Indonesia)
Salak – salak (only exist in Indonesia)
Stroberi – Strawberry
Durian – Durian (only exist in Indonesia)
Lengkeng- Litchi

Those words are common fruits that can be seen in Indonesia.

You must try some fruits that only exist in Indonesia.
They are nice and sweet.

Numbers in Indonesian 

Nol – zero
Satu – one
Dua – two
Tiga – three
Empat – four
Lima – five
Enam – six
Tujuh – seven
Delapan – eight
Sembilan – nine
Sepuluh – ten

Informal Indonesian Words

Basic Words (Informal)  Meaning

Aku I

Kamu You

Kita We

Do’i She/He

Jutek Arrogant

Kepo Curious

Laper Hungry

Gokil Funny

Kocak Funny

Restless, anxiousness
Galau
combined with sadness
Formal Basic Words in Indonesia
Formal Basic Words in Indonesia are basic words which are used in formal situations or
common words that can be used in formal or informal situations. However, they are often used in formal situations.

Basic Words (Formal) Meaning

Saya I

Anda You

Kami We

Dia He / she

Sombong Arrogant

Lapar Hungry

Lucu Funny

Rumit Complicated

Mudah Easy

Lelah Tired

Imut Cute

Tampan / cantik Handsome / beautiful

Besar Big

Bodoh Stupid

Kesal Fed up

Hanya Only / just

Memang Indeed

Sepertinya It seems like

Sekali Very / so

Tidur Sleep

Santai Relax

Mengapa? Why?

Tidak No

Canggung Awkward

Pindah Move

Pakai Use

Benar Right!

Teman Friend
Sahabat Friend

Malas Lazy

All words above actually can be used in formal or informal situations because it is acceptable in Indonesia.
They are common basic words often used in daily activities.
People in all ages can use those words whether in formal situation or informal situations.
However, they are mostly used in informal situations. You can choose by yourself.

Indonesian Compound Words 

Basic Words (Compound Words) Meanings

Kacamata (kaca + mata) Glasses

Matahari  (mata + hari) Sun

Rumah sakit (rumah + sakit) Hospital

Meja makan (meja + makan) Dining table

Orang tua (orang + tua) Parents

Keras kepala (keras + kepala) Stubborn

Mahasiswa (maha + siswa) University student

Tanah air (tanah + water) Homeland / mother country

Kamar tidur (kamar + tidur) Bedroom

Air terjun (air + terjun) Fallen Water

Kantor pos (kantor + pos) Post office

Naik daun (naik + daun) Famous

Terimakasih (terima + kasih) Thank you

Rendah hati (rendah + hati) Humble

Saksi mata (saksi + mata) Eyewitness

Mata mata (mata + mata) Scout

Rumah tangga (rumah + tangga) Household

Hutan belantara (hutan + belantara) Wilderness

Kurus kering (kurus + kering) Haggard