Speak Like a Local in Bali: Bahasa Indonesia Phrases and Travel Apps You Need

Traveling to Bali isn’t just about breathtaking beaches, iconic rice terraces, or soul-soothing yoga retreats. To truly connect with the island, immerse in its vibrant culture, and navigate it like a pro, speaking a bit of the local language—Bahasa Indonesia—can make all the difference.

Whether you’re bargaining at Ubud Market, ordering street food in Denpasar, or chatting with your guesthouse host in Canggu, learning a few key phrases can transform your experience from touristy to truly immersive. Coupled with the right travel apps, you’ll be navigating Bali with confidence in no time.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through essential Bahasa Indonesia phrases, pronunciation tips, and a curated list of must-have travel apps for Bali. ✈️📱

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🌺 Why Learn Bahasa Indonesia for Bali?

Indonesia is home to over 700 languages, but Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, knowing some Indonesian phrases shows respect, enriches interactions, and can even score you better prices.

Benefits of Speaking Local:

• 🗣️ Enhanced Communication: Especially in rural villages or local markets.
• 🤝 Deeper Cultural Connection: Locals appreciate the effort, often leading to more authentic experiences.
• 💸 Better Bargains: A little language can go a long way in price negotiations.
• 🧭 Smoother Travel: Asking for directions or ordering food becomes effortless.

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🧳 Essential Bahasa Indonesia Phrases for Travelers

Below are categorized, practical phrases to help you speak like a local. 🗨️

✋ Greetings and Politeness

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Hello	Halo	HAH-lo
Good morning	Selamat pagi	suh-LAH-maht PAH-gee
Good afternoon	Selamat siang	suh-LAH-maht SEE-ahng
Good evening	Selamat sore	suh-LAH-maht SO-ray
Good night	Selamat malam	suh-LAH-maht MAH-lahm
Thank you	Terima kasih	tuh-REE-mah KAH-see
You’re welcome	Sama-sama	SAH-mah SAH-mah
Excuse me	Permisi	puhr-MEE-see
Sorry	Maaf	MAH-ahf
Please	Tolong	TOH-long

🧭 Getting Around

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Where is…?	Di mana…?	dee MAH-nah…?
How much?	Berapa?	buh-RAH-pah?
I want to go to…	Saya mau ke…	SAH-yah MAH-oo kuh…
Turn left/right	Belok kiri/kanan	BEH-lok KEE-ree / KAH-nahn
Straight ahead	Lurus saja	LOO-roos SAH-jah
Stop here	Berhenti di sini	buhr-HEN-tee dee SEE-nee

🍛 Food and Drink

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
I want to order…	Saya mau pesan…	SAH-yah MAH-oo puh-SAHN
Water	Air	AH-yer
Spicy	Pedas	puh-DASS
Not spicy	Tidak pedas	TEE-dahk puh-DASS
Delicious	Enak	EH-nahk
I’m vegetarian	Saya vegetarian	SAH-yah veh-geh-tah-REE-ahn
No meat, please	Tidak pakai daging	TEE-dahk PAH-kai DAH-geeng

🏨 Accommodation

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Do you have a room?	Ada kamar?	AH-dah KAH-mahr?
How much per night?	Berapa per malam?	buh-RAH-pah puhr MAH-lahm?
I will stay for 3 nights	Saya akan tinggal tiga malam	SAH-yah AH-kahn TEENG-gahl TEE-gah MAH-lahm

🚨 Emergency

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Help!	Tolong!	TOH-long!
I’m lost	Saya tersesat	SAH-yah tuhr-SEH-saht
Call the police	Panggil polisi	PAHNG-geel poh-LEE-see
I need a doctor	Saya butuh dokter	SAH-yah BOO-tooh DOK-tuhr

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Everyday Conversations

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
What is your name?	Siapa nama kamu?	SYAH-pah NAH-mah KAH-moo
My name is…	Nama saya…	NAH-mah SAH-yah
Where are you from?	Dari mana asal kamu?	DAH-ree MAH-nah AH-sahl KAH-moo?
I’m from…	Saya dari…	SAH-yah DAH-ree…
How are you?	Apa kabar?	AH-pah KAH-bar?
I’m fine	Saya baik	SAH-yah BAH-eek
Nice to meet you	Senang bertemu denganmu	suh-NAHNG buhr-TEH-moo duh-NGAN-moo
Do you speak English?	Apakah kamu bisa bahasa Inggris?	AH-pah-kah KAH-moo BEE-sah bah-HAH-sah EENG-griss?
I don’t understand	Saya tidak mengerti	SAH-yah TEE-dahk meng-uhr-TEE

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🛍️ Shopping & Markets

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
How much is this?	Berapa harganya?	buh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nya?
Can you give me a discount?	Bisa kurang?	BEE-sah KOO-rang?
Too expensive	Terlalu mahal	tuhr-LAH-loo MAH-hal
I’m just looking	Saya hanya lihat-lihat	SAH-yah HAN-yah LEE-haht-LEE-haht
I’ll take it	Saya ambil ini	SAH-yah AM-beel EE-nee

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🛫 At the Airport

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Where is the check-in counter?	Di mana tempat check-in?	dee MAH-nah TUHM-paht check-in
Where is gate number…?	Di mana gerbang nomor…?	dee MAH-nah GUHR-bahng NOH-mohr…?
I have a connecting flight	Saya punya penerbangan lanjutan	SAH-yah POO-nyah puh-NER-bahng-ahn LAN-joo-tahn
I lost my luggage	Saya kehilangan koper saya	SAH-yah keh-HEE-lah-ngahn KOH-pehr SAH-yah

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🏥 Health and Medical Needs

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
I feel sick	Saya merasa sakit	SAH-yah muh-RAH-sah SAH-keet
I need a pharmacy	Saya butuh apotek	SAH-yah BOO-tooh AH-po-tek
I have a headache	Saya sakit kepala	SAH-yah SAH-keet kuh-PAH-lah
I have a stomachache	Saya sakit perut	SAH-yah SAH-keet puh-ROOT
Is it serious?	Apakah ini serius?	AH-pah-kah EE-nee SEH-ree-oos?

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🌦️ Weather and Environment

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
It’s hot	Panas sekali	PAH-nass seh-KAH-lee
It’s cold	Dingin sekali	DEENG-een seh-KAH-lee
Is it going to rain?	Apakah akan hujan?	AH-pah-kah AH-kahn HOO-jahn?
It’s sunny	Cuacanya cerah	CHOO-ah-CHAH-nya CHEH-rah
The weather is nice	Cuacanya bagus	CHOO-ah-CHAH-nya BAH-goos

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🎟️ Activities & Entertainment

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
What time does it start?	Jam berapa mulainya?	JAM buh-RAH-pah moo-LAI-nya?
I’d like to buy a ticket	Saya mau beli tiket	SAH-yah MAH-oo buh-LEE TEE-ket
Is there a performance today?	Apakah ada pertunjukan hari ini?	AH-pah-kah AH-dah puhr-TOON-joo-kahn HAR-ee EE-nee?
I like this	Saya suka ini	SAH-yah SOO-kah EE-nee

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🧘‍♂️ Spiritual and Temple Visits

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Can I enter the temple?	Boleh saya masuk pura?	BOH-leh SAH-yah MAH-sook POO-rah?
Is this a sacred place?	Apakah ini tempat suci?	AH-pah-kah EE-nee TUHM-paht SOO-chee?
Do I need to wear a sarong?	Haruskah saya memakai sarung?	HA-roos-kah SAH-yah muh-MAI-kai SAH-roong?
Thank you for the blessing	Terima kasih atas berkatnya	tuh-REE-mah KAH-see AH-tahs buhr-KAHT-nya

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💑 Social & Friendly Interactions

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Are you married?	Apakah kamu sudah menikah?	AH-pah-kah KAH-moo SOO-dah meh-NEE-kah?
I’m single	Saya masih sendiri	SAH-yah MAH-seeh sen-DEE-ree
Do you want to hang out?	Mau jalan-jalan bareng?	MAH-oo JAH-lahn-JAH-lahn BAH-reng?
This place is amazing!	Tempat ini luar biasa!	TUHM-paht EE-nee loo-AR bee-AH-sah!

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🧑‍💼 Business and Work (For Digital Nomads)

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
Do you have Wi-Fi?	Ada Wi-Fi?	AH-dah WI-FI?
What’s the password?	Apa kata sandinya?	AH-pah KAH-tah SAHN-dee-nya?
I’m working online	Saya bekerja online	SAH-yah buh-KER-jah ON-line
Can we schedule a meeting?	Bisa jadwalkan pertemuan?	BEE-sah JAD-wal-kahn puhr-teh-MOO-ahn?
I need a quiet place	Saya butuh tempat yang tenang	SAH-yah BOO-tooh TUHM-paht yahng tuh-NAHNG

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🚙 Transportation Extras

English	Bahasa Indonesia	Pronunciation
I want to rent a scooter	Saya mau sewa motor	SAH-yah MAH-oo SEH-wah MOH-tohr
Is petrol included?	Apakah sudah termasuk bensin?	AH-pah-kah SOO-dah tuhr-MOO-sook BEN-seen?
Drive safely	Hati-hati di jalan	HAH-tee HAH-tee dee JAH-lahn
How long will it take?	Berapa lama perjalanannya?	buh-RAH-pah LAH-mah puhr-JAH-lahn-ahn-nya?

 

🗣️ Tips for Pronouncing Bahasa Indonesia

Bahasa Indonesia uses the Roman alphabet, making it easier to read. Here are a few pronunciation tips:

• C is pronounced like “ch” in “chocolate” → e.g., “cari” = chah-ree (to look for).
• R is rolled lightly, like in Spanish.
• J is pronounced like “j” in “jam”.
• U sounds like “oo” in “food”.
• E can vary: in “besar” (big), it’s like “uh”; in “empat” (four), it’s closer to “eh”.

Practice slowly, and don’t worry—locals are very forgiving and encouraging toward learners!

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📱 Top Travel Apps to Navigate Bali Like a Local

1. 🌍 Google Translate

• Translate Bahasa Indonesia in real-time via text, voice, or camera.
• Pro Tip: Download Indonesian for offline use.

2. 🛵 Gojek & Grab

• Bali’s versions of Uber, offering transport, food delivery, massages, and more.
• Use Case: Book a scooter ride to the beach or order mie goreng at midnight.

3. 📍 Maps.me

• Offline maps for when you’re off the grid in Uluwatu or Sidemen.
• Use Case: Hiking or exploring without mobile data.

4. 🏨 Traveloka

• Book flights, hotels, and even tourist activities in Indonesia.
• Use Case: Compare local hotels with better regional pricing.

5. 💬 Learn Bahasa Indonesia App

• Interactive lessons, vocabulary flashcards, and quizzes.
• Use Case: Practice on the flight to Bali!

6. 🏖️ Klook or GetYourGuide

• Discover experiences, book tours, and get real reviews.
• Use Case: Book a Mount Batur sunrise hike with a local guide.

7. 🧘 Bali Events or Meetup

• Connect with yoga classes, surf groups, and spiritual events.
• Use Case: Join a silent retreat in Ubud.

8. 📸 Canva or Snapseed

• Edit your Bali travel photos like a pro.
• Use Case: Share sunset shots from Seminyak with stunning filters.

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🧭 Navigating Bali Like a Pro

🛵 Transportation Tips:

• Scooter rental is the most common and fun way to get around—remember to wear a helmet!
• For longer distances, Blue Bird Taxis (with the official app) are reliable.
• Grab/Gojek Car is ideal for air-conditioned rides, especially in traffic-heavy areas.

💰 Currency and Payments:

• The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cash is king in many places.
• Download Wise or Revolut for excellent currency exchange rates and mobile payments.
• ATMs are widely available, but check fees and limits.

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🌱 Cultural Etiquette in Bali

Bali is predominantly Hindu and culturally rich. While locals are welcoming, being culturally aware will win hearts.

• 🧣 Dress modestly when visiting temples—bring a sarong.
• 🙏 Use both hands when giving or receiving items.
• 🚫 Avoid touching heads, especially of children.
• 🚯 Respect offerings (canang sari) on the ground—don’t step on them.

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📈 Bonus: 5 Advanced Phrases to Impress Locals

Want to go beyond basics? Try these out:

1. “Boleh saya ikut?” – Can I join?
2. “Saya suka budaya Bali.” – I love Balinese culture.
3. “Apakah ini pedas sekali?” – Is this very spicy?
4. “Kamu bisa bantu saya?” – Can you help me?
5. “Saya sedang belajar bahasa Indonesia.” – I’m learning Indonesian.

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🌅 Final Thoughts

Bali is more than a destination—it’s an experience. And while the beaches and Bintang might bring you there, the people, their stories, and the language will make you fall in love.

Taking the time to learn Bahasa Indonesia, even just a few phrases, unlocks deeper connections and more meaningful adventures. Pair that with the right travel apps, and you’re well on your way to experiencing Bali not as a tourist, but as a mindful traveler—one who speaks from the heart, just like a local.

Selamat jalan dan selamat menikmati Bali! (Have a good trip and enjoy Bali!) 🌞🌴