especially if they are older. This is also the case if you have chatted with someone. It is very good manners to do it after you have paid for something.
Small Talk
Indonesians are very fond of asking questions, some of which might seem rather personal to Westerners. You shouldn’t be offended as you might back home. Answer those that you can, and ask the same question back! Alternatively you can give vague answers—nobody is that interested in the accuracy of your response, they just want to chat.
Mau ke mana? (lit. want to where?)
This is a very common question and people may not be really interested in your answer. It is a bit like commenting on the weather in English.
Jalan-jalans aja. (lit. just going around)
Mau ke pasar.
Mau ke pantai.
Sudah lama di sini?
Baru dua hari.
Sudah seminggu.
Dua bulan.
Dari mana? (lit. from where?)
This could also mean, “Where have you just come from?” (ie. what was your last destination before here?) but when addressed to foreigners, it is usually asking about their origins.
Dari Amérika.
Dari Australia.
Dari Surabaya.
Talking about Yourself
| mother | ibu | |
| father | ayah | |
| older sister/brother | kakak | |
| younger sister/brother | adik | |
| husband | suami | |
| wife | isteri | |
| friend | kawan, teman | |
| boyfriend/girlfriend | pacar |
Siapa namanya?
Nama saya Rita.
Ini siapa?
Ini kawan saya.
Ini saudara saya.
Indonesian society is still very traditional. It is better to introduce a partner as a friend, unless you are already married. This is also the case for same-sex relationships. Indonesians in the same situation would do the same.
Tinggal di mana?
Saya tinggal di ...
Kerja di mana?
Saya mahasiswa.
Saya dokter.
Saya sedang tidak bekerja.
(lit. I’m not working right now).
Berapa bersaudara?
Saya ada ... orang kakak dan seorang adik.
Kami bersaudara empat.
Indonesians focus on whether siblings are older or younger, rather than whether they are sisters or brothers.
