There are many ways to learn a new language. With the existence of numerous language websites on the internet, now you can learn new languages by just downloading the e-book and learn it by yourself. You also can always enroll to language classes or get a private tutor to give you comprehensive courses of the language.
But, actually, one of the best ways to learn new language is by using the language in daily conversation. When you live in Indonesia, knowing Bahasa Indonesia (even if it’s just the basic) would be very helpful. English usually is used in the offices, restaurants (fast food chains and big restaurant only—roadside footstall vendors usually don’t speak English), hotels, and other public facilities. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language and it is used in everyday conversation among Indonesian.
Learning Bahasa Indonesia seems incomplete when you aren’t learning the slang words (or bahasa gaul in Indonesian). Slang words in Indonesians are used in daily conversations among coworkers and friends—both in direct conversations and computer mediated conversations (chatting, SMS, etc). Learning slangs are fun as you can use it to joke around with your Indonesian friends or even with fellow expatriates. Here is some Indonesian slang words that you may want to know:
| Abang | : | calling older male |
| Agan, gan | : | bro |
| Akik | : | gemstone |
| Aq, ak, akyu, akoh, akooh | : | I, me, mine |
| Ajib | : | Cool, awesome, great |
| Amit-amit | : | God forbid, Oh My God (don’t let it happen to me) |
| Babe, beh | : | Dad, father, daddy |
| Baper | : | sentimental, melancholic |
| Beb, beib, bebih | : | Babe |
| Begindang (begitu) | : | just like that, that’s all I said |
| Bete, BT, eteb | : | bored, bad temper |
| Bhay! | : | bye, goodbye |
| Cabut | : | go |
| Cekidot | : | check it out |
| Ceban | : | ten thousand rupiah |
| Cepek | : | one hundred rupiah |
| Cincay=cincai | : | easy to deal with, don’t worry |
| Ciyus | : | seriously?, really? |
| Copas | : | copy and paste |
| Deh | : | please |
| Dimari | : | here |
| Doang, doank | : | only |
| Doi, do’i, doski | : | he/him, she/her |
| Dong | : | please |
| Dugem, dunia gemerlap | : | nightlife, clubbing |
| Duit | : | money |
| Ember (literally means bucket) | : | definitely, that’s right |
| Endes/endeus | : | yummy, delicious |
| Ente (from Arabian language) | : | you, yours |
| Elo, lo, lu, elu, lau, L | : | you, yours |
| Eyke, eke, eyk | : | I, me , mine |
| Fulus | : | money |
| Futu | : | photo, take a photo |
| Gaes | : | guys, you all |
| Gaban (segede gaban) | : | really huge |
| Gaje (gak jelas) | : | not consistent, not clear |
| Galau | : | restless, sad, having personal problem |
| Gambreng | : | so many (segambreng), really huge (segede gambreng) |
| Gaul | : | hang out, trendy, social butterfly |
| Gelo | : | crazy |
| Gocap | : | five thousand rupiah |
| Gopek | : | five hundred rupiah |
| Gue, gua, gw, w | : | I, me, mine |
| Japri | : | private message (usually used in chat rooms, forums, etc) |
| Kaki lima | : | street vendor |
| Kayak=kyk=kek | : | like, as, such |
| Kece | : | cool, awesome |
| Kepo | : | wondering, want to know, curious (usually in the matter of business/problems/personal things) |
| Kesel | : | annoyed, angry, mad |
| Lebay | : | overacting, too much |
| Mager | : | lazy |
| Mimin, min | : | administrator |
| Muter | : | turn around, spin, play a song |
| Ngacir | : | fleeing |
| Ngakak | : | laughing out loud |
| Ngebut | : | fast |
| Ngemeng | : | saying, speaking |
| Obrol | : | chat |
| Ojek | : | motorcycle taxi |
| Otewe = ote | : | on the way |
| PD, pede (percaya diri) | : | confident |
| Rempong | : | complicated, troublesome, busy |
| Sante, santay | : | relax |
| Selo, selow, woles | : | take it easy |
| Tajir | : | rich |
| Udah, udin | : | already |
| Vroh | : | bro, brother |
| WA, we-a, wasap | : | WhatsApp mobile chat apps |
| Wkwkwkwk | : | LOL |
| Xixixi | : | LOL |
| Yaelah=yampon=ya ampun | : | for God sake |
| Yey | : | you, yours |
| Yoa=yoi=yha | : | yup, yes |
Happy learning Bahasa Indonesia!
