Start with the Basics that Matter
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is mostly spelled how it sounds, so you can learn to read and say new words quickly. Begin with greetings (halo, apa kabar?), polite forms (terima kasih, maaf), and pronouns (saya, kamu, dia). Focus on simple Subject–Verb–Object sentences: Saya makan nasi. Kamu minum kopi. Keep it short, correct, and repeatable.
Don’t try to learn all grammar at once. For beginners, learn the most common prefixes (me-, di-) only as you meet them in context. Record yourself for two minutes a day reading aloud; this builds confidence fast.
- Learn the sound of c=ch, g=hard g, and r=rolled/tapped.
- Memorize 20 high-frequency verbs: pergi, datang, suka, mau, bisa, perlu.
- Use model sentences you can swap: Saya mau + noun/verb.
- Track new words with 1–2 example sentences instead of translations only.
Build a 15-Minute Daily Routine
Consistency beats cramming. A compact routine helps you learn Indonesian steadily without overwhelm. Pick a time you can keep—morning coffee or commute—and repeat the same steps daily so your brain knows what’s next.
Think of this as your all-in-one warmup: read, listen, speak, and review spaced-repetition flashcards. If you have more minutes, do a second cycle later, but never skip the short core session.
- 3 minutes: Review yesterday’s phrases (flashcards or notes).
- 5 minutes: Read a short dialogue aloud twice; shadow the audio.
- 5 minutes: Listen to a beginner podcast; write 1–2 new sentences.
- 2 minutes: Speak freestyle about your day using today’s words.
Core Vocabulary and Phrases to Learn First
Grab the essentials you’ll use every day: numbers, time, days, common places, transport, food, and polite requests. Indonesian relies on simple patterns like boleh…? (may I…?) and ada…? (is there…?), which you can reuse in dozens of situations.
Build mini phrase families so one change gives you many results: Saya mau…; Di mana…?; Berapa…? This turns a small beginner word list into real conversation.
- Questions: Apa itu? Di mana toilet? Berapa harganya?
- Polite requests: Tolong…, Bisa bantu? Boleh saya pesan…?
- Everyday verbs: makan, minum, beli, naik, kerja, belajar.
- Time words: sekarang, nanti, besok, kemarin, pagi, malam.
Practice Listening and Speaking Online
Use online content to turn passive learning into active skills. Short YouTube lessons, slow-news clips, and beginner podcasts are free and perfect for shadowing—listen and speak at the same time. Repeat one clip across several days instead of chasing new videos.
For real conversation, try weekly 20–30 minute tutoring sessions. Bring a small script of phrases you want corrected, and ask the tutor to type better versions in the chat so you can save them.
- Shadowing: Play a 1–2 minute clip and echo every sentence.
- Record yourself, compare with the audio, and fix one sound per day.
- Join a language-exchange app; keep topics simple and predictable.
- Switch phone or app menus to Indonesian once you know the basics.
Apps, Courses, and One Handy Book
Combine a free SRS app for vocabulary with a short structured course for clarity. Many platforms offer Indonesian tracks that are friendly for beginners and keep you motivated with streaks and tiny goals.
A concise beginner book helps tie it all together. Use it as a weekly anchor: read a chapter on Sunday, then mine sentences and vocabulary during the week. Libraries often have Indonesian titles if you don’t want to buy.
- Free tools: Duolingo, Memrise, Clozemaster, Tatoeba sentence search.
- Dictionaries: KBBI (official), Glosbe; save example sentences, not just words.
- Tutors: italki/Preply—ask for slow speech and typed feedback.
- Book pick: “Complete Indonesian” (Teach Yourself) or a compact phrasebook.
FAQ
- How long does it take to reach A2 in Indonesian?
- With 15–30 minutes a day and a weekly speaking session, many learners reach A2 in 3–5 months. Keep goals simple: handle daily needs, describe routine activities, and manage basic travel situations.
- Is Indonesian hard for English speakers?
- It’s considered relatively easy: phonetic spelling, no gender, no verb conjugations by person, and flexible word order. The main challenges are prefixes/suffixes and building enough listening exposure.
- What are the best free online resources?
- Use a mix: Duolingo or Memrise for daily drills, YouTube channels for slow dialogues, Tatoeba for example sentences, and Indonesian news-for-kids audio for clear listening. Add a spaced-repetition app for review.
- Should I focus on grammar or phrases first?
- Start with phrases and model sentences you can reuse, then layer in grammar as it appears. Learn small pieces—like me- for active verbs and di- for passive—only when they help you say something you need.
- Which beginner book do you recommend?
- “Complete Indonesian” (Teach Yourself) is a solid start. Pair it with a pocket phrasebook for travel situations. Read one chapter per week and turn examples into flashcards with audio recordings.