How do you say hello and thank you in Indonesian?
In Indonesia, people say "Selamat pagi" (good morning), "Selamat siang" (good afternoon), "Selamat sore" (good evening), "Selamat malam" (good night) and "Terima kasih" (thank you).
Greetings according to times of day
- Selamat pagi : good morning (until 11am)
- Selamat siang : good afternoon at noon (from 11am to 2pm)
- Selamat sore : good afternoon (between 2pm and 7pm)
- Selamat malam : good evening (after 7pm)
Saying thank you in Indonesian
Terima kasih is the standard expression for saying thank you. It is used in all situations, formal or informal.
Advice from our local agency
Indonesians particularly appreciate the effort of travelers who try to speak their language. A simple "Selamat pagi" with a smile opens all doors and facilitates exchanges.
Key points to remember
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, but these basic expressions work everywhere in the archipelago, from the beaches of Bali to the mountains of Sumatra.