We’ve all heard of the island of Bali in Indonesia. It’s one of the world’s most exotic travel destinations. The beaches, nature, and greenness are heavenly, and this imagery is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of “Indonesia.” Another fascinating component of Bali is its fauna, with the Komodo dragon being its most famous species. The dragon has been named the largest lizard, and the deadly venom in its saliva makes it one of the most lethal predators in the world. In this article, we’ll introduce you to Indonesian animal words that will help you talk about the variety of unique animals that live in Indonesia as well as the most common animals abroad. Orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Bali starlings...these animals,... Show more

Did you know that 40 to 50 percent of couples in the U.S.A. end up divorcing? Staggering, right? Now compare that to Indonesia’s continuously declining 10% divorce rate. With stats like that, you’ll probably find yourself feeling very good about the idea of having an Indonesian partner. Being a conservative country, Indonesia is the perfect place for securing a stable, loving relationship if that’s your cup of tea. And considering that it’s one of the easiest languages to pick up, learning some Indonesian-language love phrases to help you express your feelings is definitely not a bad time investment. This is especially true if you count the benefits you might reap from impressing your partner with your Indonesian skills. ... Show more

If you’re planning to start learning a foreign language, Indonesian might seem like an odd choice… But it really isn’t!  So, why learn Indonesian? Especially when there are so many other (more popular) languages to choose from? Well, did you know that Indonesia is the fourth most populous region on the entire planet? This means that you’ll have about 23 million potential conversation partners, if we’re just talking about native speakers. If we count those who speak it as a second language, that number skyrockets to over 200 million! This is only one of the many reasons you should start learning Indonesian now… Do you want to learn 10 more? Keep reading and you won’t be disappointed.  Table of Contents Benefits of... Show more

Proverbs are popular sayings that provide a little dose of wisdom, a truth that is sometimes so obvious we overlook it.  Can you think of a proverb in your native language that touched you at an important moment of your life? Indonesians are actually famous for using a lot of slang words and proverbs in their daily lives. If you want to sound like a local, you’d better learn some Indonesian proverbs yourself! Doing so is a great way to let your language skills shine and familiarize yourself with Indonesian culture. As they say, "There is no time like the present." Learn the thirty most popular Indonesian proverbs and you’ll be sure to leave a good impression! Table of Contents The Top 30 Indonesian Proverbs ... Show more

You may have heard that Jakarta has a little bit of a traffic problem (there are actually more cars than people in the city!). But I can assure you it offers so much more, if you’re willing to dedicate some time to discover it! Many tourists treat the city as merely an entry and exit point to Indonesia. They pass through without a second look, excited to get to their final destination. This is why, if you have some spare time on your hands, we recommend you travel in Jakarta a little before heading out to discover the rest of Indonesia.  And believe us: There are plenty of reasons to visit Jakarta! Home to over ten million people from all corners of Indonesia and the world, Jakarta is often referred to as "the Big Durian," the... Show more

It’s easy to recognize English loanwords in Indonesian, and they pop up at all levels of language use. If you were to open up Wikipedia, a Jakarta newspaper, or even a YouTube comment section in Indonesian right now, chances are a couple of words would jump out at you.  In this article, we’ll introduce you to some key characteristics of English words in Indonesian, and before long, you’ll be using them perfectly yourself! Table of Contents Introduction to Indonesian English Examples of English Used in Indonesian Loanwords vs. Indonesian English What an Indonesian Accent Sounds Like in English English Words Derived from Indonesian Conclusion Introduction to Indonesian English The thing about Indonesian is... Show more

Anybody who’s visited Indonesia knows that the country is big on culture. From traditional handicrafts and performances to pariwisata budaya ("cultural tourism"), Indonesians enjoy sharing their culture with a world that’s usually all too eager to overlook its multicolored facets. How well do you know Indonesian culture? If your answer is "not at all," this lesson is for you. Table of Contents Values and Beliefs Philosophies and Religions The Indonesian Family Indonesian Art Indonesian Food Traditional Holidays Conclusion 1. Values and Beliefs "Unity in Diversity." That’s the English translation of the old Javanese phrase Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, the official motto of the Republic of... Show more

Around the globe, the 18th-20th centuries saw much initial progress toward women’s rights and gender equality. In the United States and Europe, names such as Sojourner Truth, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton often come to mind when discussing these topics. But in Indonesia, the most commended name in this regard is R.A. Kartini.  In this article, you’ll learn more about this incredible woman and her namesake holiday, Kartini Day. 1. What is Kartini Day? Kartini Day is an Indonesian holiday first officially celebrated in 1964, established by the first Indonesian president Sukarno. It takes place each year on April 21, the birthdate of Raden Adjeng Kartini (fondly referred to as Ibu Kartini or Mother... Show more

When you travel to a foreign country for the first time, one of the main attractions is the restaurants. Even if you start with something familiar like a fast-food chain, foreign restaurants always have something intangibly different about them. That makes them excellent places to practice your language skills. Besides satisfying your cravings, ordering food in a foreign language is the perfect hurdle to clear on your way toward proficiency. It’s authentic language usage, but in a small and controlled environment where you can be forgiven for making mistakes. In this article, you’ll learn about the many tasty Indonesian foods on offer, as well as some practical restaurant phrases to help you get by. Table of Contents What... Show more

When you start learning Indonesian, being able to read popular books or watch famous speeches might seem a lifetime away.  All those words you have to learn! All that new grammar to wrap your head around!  Fortunately, there’s a shortcut.  By studying interesting Indonesian quotes with English translations and equivalents, you’ll start to see the connections between the two languages. (Not to mention that you’ll also start to sound very well-read!) Table of Contents Quotes About Success Quotes About Life Quotes About Time Quotes About Love Quotes About Family Quotes About Friendship Quotes About Food Quotes About Health Quotes About Language Learning Conclusion 1.... Show more