There are more than 700 languages spoken in Indonesia. The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, a member of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family. Indonesian language is primarily used in commerce, administration, education and the media.
The vast majority of Indonesian words are of Austronesian origin, and Indonesian shares over 80% of its vocabulary with standard Malay. There are also numerous words in Indonesian that are originated from Arabic, Sanskrit, Portuguese, Dutch, and certain Chinese dialects.
In particular, the Indonesian words that are borrowed from Chinese dialects mostly become ‘bahasa gaul’ or informal language that is used in oral communication. Here are few of common Indonesian words that are originated from Chinese or Cantonese dialects:
| Indonesian Words | Chinese Origin | Meaning |
| Amoi | 阿妹 a mōen | Calling name for little girl |
| Anglo | 烘爐 hang lô | Brazier |
| Angpau | 紅包 âng pau | Little red envelopes, usually filled with money |
| Bakiak | 木屐 bák kiáh | Wooden clogs, sandals |
| Bakpia | 肉餅 bah pián | Specialty snack from Yogyakarta, made of wheat flour and filled with mung beans. |
| Bakso | 肉酥 bah so | Meatballs |
| Calo | 查佬 ch’ā ló | Panders |
| Ceban | 萬 chít bān | Literally means ‘ten thousand’, but usually refers to Rp10,000 banknote |
| Cekak | 角 chít kak | Insufficient (usually related to money, clothing size) |
| Cepek | 百 chít peh | Literally means ‘a hundred’, but usually refers to Rp100 banknote |
| Comblang | 作媒人 tsoh h | Matchmakers |
| Cukong | 主公 tsú kong | Well-to-do financier, business owner (slang), capitalist |
| Engkoh | 阿哥 án ko | Calling name for older brother |
| Gincu | 銀朱 gîn tsu | Lipstick |
| Gocap | 五十 gō· tsáp | Literally means ‘fifty’, but usually refers to Rp50,000 banknote |
| Gue/gua | 我 góa | I, me, my, mine |
| Imlek | 陰曆 im lék | Chinese New Year |
| Kecap | 鮭汁 kê chiap | Soy sauce |
| Kongko | 講古 kóng kó | Hanging out, chatting |
| Kongkalikong | 公共你講 kong kā lí kóng | Collusion, conspiracy |
| Tangsi | 虫絲 thâng si | Police/soldier barracks |
| Kongsi | 公司 gongsi | Partnership, joint venture |
| Lonceng | 亂鐘 lōan cheng | Bell |
| Mihun/bihun | 麵粉 mīn hún | Vermicelli, rice noodles |
| Nyonya | niong ná | Madam, lady, ma’am, wife |
| Pengki | 畚箕 pùn ki | Dust pan |
| Teko | 茶鈷 tê kó | Teapot |
| Tongkang | 艟舡 tông kang | Big ship |
Turns out there are so many Indonesian phrases that are originated from Chinese dialects. These words are not only slang languages, but are also used in formal documents and speech.
