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

You might have heard that Indonesian is an easy, accessible language, but have you ever wondered why? Since you’re considering learning Indonesian, you probably want to know what’s involved with the process. Are you going to have to memorize long declension tables, write out conjugations a zillion times, or cram adjective endings into your memory? None of the above. Indonesian grammar doesn’t require you to think in the ways that European grammar does. Instead, it’s a different challenge that people find refreshing and stimulating. In this article, we’ll break down some of the major Indonesian grammar rules that make it particularly interesting to learn (and not particularly challenging!). You’ll soon see that understanding... 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

These are beautiful times for language learners. Even ten years ago, language learning materials on the Internet were nothing like they are today. We’ve had YouTube for a decade and a half, and only in the last several years has it become possible—or even likely—that someone could learn a language mostly through YouTube. If you’ve set out to learn Indonesian, YouTube may have you feeling left out at this point. Why should other language learners get all the fun? Never fear, though. Today’s article is going to introduce you to the top ten YouTube channels for Indonesian learners! Later, we’ll show you why IndonesianPod101’s channel is the best source for learners at every level. → Before starting, check out our vocabulary list... Show more

Many aspiring learners wonder whether the Indonesian language is easy to learn, and if so, why more people don’t speak it. You see, Indonesian is not a very commonly learned language for most of the world.  Sure, there are people in Southeast Asia that pick some of it up, it’s a growing subject in Chinese and Japanese universities, and it’s long been one of the most popular foreign languages for Australians—but you hardly see it on lists of languages people want to learn.  That’s a shame, really, because learning the language opens you up to so many wonderful things. Visiting the country when you can speak the language is much, much more freeing than being limited to an interpreter or dealing with whoever can speak some English. ... Show more

There’s a certain face that people make when they can’t understand what you’re saying. For many people, it’s a screwed-up grimace of concentration. For Indonesians, it’s more of a quiet smile and a slow drift of attention. Indonesians are polite folks, to be sure. They’re not going to tell you very much about your mistakes in Indonesian when you’re speaking with them. That’s up to you. If you want to hold up your end of the Indonesian conversation, you’ve got to make sure you’re speaking Indonesian that’s beyond just "comprehensible." It must be pleasant to listen to, and with as few mistakes as possible. But what types of mistakes tend to be the worst for Indonesian-learners, and how can you get around them? Table of... Show more

Would you describe yourself as a curious person? If you’re learning Indonesian, we imagine that you probably do!  You can make that curiosity work for your Indonesian skills, too! When you talk to people, they’ll be interested in who you are and what’s driven you to learn their language. And the bread and butter of that is questions. Statistically, questions make up a big part of conversation in any language. By preparing yourself with the most common Indonesian questions and answers, you’ll become familiar and comfortable with these conversational keystones and come off as a skilled conversationalist. Table of Contents Your Name Your Origin Story Language Matters Traveling Around A Personal Question A Taste of... Show more