Start with the basics of Indonesian
Indonesian uses the Latin alphabet, and most letters sound like English. Sentence order is Subject–Verb–Object: Saya makan nasi (I eat rice). For beginners, focus on high-frequency words, simple pronouns, and common verbs such as mau (want), suka (like), ada (there is/are). Skip details that can wait.
Learn polite forms and particles you’ll hear all the time: terima kasih (thank you), maaf (sorry), tolong (please help), ya/tidak (yes/no). Save affixes for later; you only need a few at first (ber-, me-, -kan) to read menus and signs. Keep it light—clarity over perfection.
- Learn 10 basics: greetings, numbers, days.
- Practice pronunciation with a 5-minute slow video.
- Write five beginner sentences about yourself.
A 15-minute daily routine that works
Small, steady sessions beat long, rare ones. Aim for 15 minutes, every day. That’s enough to learn, review, and speak a little. If you miss a day, don’t do it all at once tomorrow—just restart. Consistency builds memory and confidence.
Use a timer and rotate tasks so you touch all skills over the week. Keep it fun with songs, short clips, or a comic strip. Track what you did in one line: date, minutes, topic.
- 5 min vocab review with spaced repetition (free, online).
- 5 min listening: slow podcast or video with subtitles.
- 5 min speaking: shadow a short dialogue aloud.
- Optional: 2 min writing a mini-journal.
Core skills for beginners
Speaking: shadow audio. Repeat after a native speaker, matching rhythm and stress. Don’t translate word by word—copy the melody. Record yourself for 30 seconds and compare.
Listening and reading: pair short audio with a transcript. First, listen for gist. Second, read and underline new words. Third, listen again and catch details. Writing: one or two lines a day is enough at beginner level.
- Use simple dialogs about food, travel, and introductions.
- Read a page from a graded reader or course book with audio.
- Keep a “can-do” list: I can order coffee; I can ask for prices.
Tools and resources (mostly free)
Mix resources so you don’t get bored. A solid course book gives structure, while apps keep you moving in short bursts. Add authentic, fun items—music, memes, menus—to stay curious.
Make a small toolkit you can open anywhere, online or offline. Download audio for commutes and save word lists on your phone. If money is tight, you can learn almost all essentials with free options.
- Free online dictionary with audio; save example sentences.
- Spaced-repetition flashcards for 10 words a day.
- YouTube channels with slow Indonesian and subtitles.
- A beginner course book or phrasebook with dialogues.
- A grammar cheat sheet covering ber-, me-, -kan basics.
Stay motivated and measure progress
Progress feels slow until you count it. Set tiny weekly goals and celebrate them. After four weeks, re-record your intro and compare. If you stall, lower the bar: two minutes of review still wins.
- Keep a streak calendar for your minutes.
- Test yourself with a 1-minute speaking challenge.
- Do a “menu mission” or “market mission” on your next trip.
FAQ
- How long does it take to reach A2 in Indonesian?
- With 20–30 minutes a day, many learners reach A2 in about 3–6 months. Short, regular practice beats long, rare sessions.
- Is Indonesian hard for English speakers?
- It’s relatively friendly: no tones, simple grammar, and many familiar loanwords. Main challenges are affixes and catching fast, casual speech.
- Can I learn Indonesian free online?
- Yes. Use free apps, YouTube, podcasts, online dictionaries, and community flashcard decks. Libraries often lend course books at no cost.
- Should I start with grammar or phrases?
- Start with useful phrases plus the basics of grammar. Learn patterns you can reuse, then add rules as you need them.
- What’s the best beginner book for Indonesian?
- Choose a beginner course book with short units, clear grammar boxes, lots of audio, and realistic dialogs. Answer keys help; many libraries offer them free.