What Language Do They Speak in Indonesia?

Header image for Indonesia

Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia, composed of over 17,000 islands. As the world's largest island country, it boasts immense biodiversity, including unique flora and fauna such as the orangutan and Komodo dragon. Known for its rich cultural heritage, Indonesia is a melting pot of various ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups, creating a vibrant and diverse society.

Languages Spoken

Indonesia is a linguistically diverse country with over 700 languages spoken across its many islands. The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, spoken by the vast majority of the population as either a first or second language. Other major languages include Javanese, with 38 million speakers, and Sundanese, spoken by 15 million people. Additionally, regional languages such as Malay, Madurese, Batak, and Minangkabau also have millions of speakers each. This rich tapestry of languages reflects Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and history.

Different Languages Spoken in Indonesia

Language data last updated 2024 est. from Wikipedia - Indonesia

LanguageUsage
Bahasa Indonesia94%
Javanese38%
Sundanese15%
Malay7%
Madurese5%
Batak3.6%
Minangkabau2.7%
Betawi2.5%
Bugis2.5%
Banjarese1.7%
Balinese1.52%
Acehnese1.4%
Sasak1.1%
Makassarese1%
Note: The total may add up to more than 100% as people may speak multiple languages

Useful Bahasa Indonesia Phrases

Learn these phrases if you're planning on traveling to Indonesia

Halo

Hello

A common greeting used at any time of the day.

Apa kabar?

How are you?

Used to ask someone how they are feeling.

Berapa harganya?

How much does it cost?

Useful when shopping or dining.

Di mana kamar mandi?

Where is the bathroom?

Essential for finding restrooms.

Terima kasih

Thank you

Used to express gratitude.

Learn to speak Bahasa Indonesia

Interested in speaking Bahasa Indonesia in Indonesia? Using Lingocat you can learn the basics of the language and start speaking in no time with the help of our AI Language Tutors.

Download for iOS