Learning a new language is an adventure, and Indonesian is no exception. While grammar and vocabulary are essential, to sound like a native speaker, you must understand and use idioms. Indonesian idioms can be colorful, poetic, and often humorous. They can also be puzzling to learners because they don’t always translate directly into English. Here are some common Indonesian idioms to help you sound more like a local.

Bagai kacang lupa akan kulitnya
Translation: Like a peanut forgets its shell. This is used to describe someone who forgets their origins or background after gaining success or wealth.
Setelah jadi pejabat, dia jadi sombong dan bagai kacang lupa akan kulitnya.

Bagai pisang berbuah dua kali
Translation: Like a banana tree fruits twice. Since banana trees usually fruit only once before dying, this idiom alludes to an unexpectedly good fortune or a rare occurrence.
Wah, kamu menang lotre lagi? Sungguh bagai pisang berbuah dua kali!

Bagai pungguk merindukan bulan
Translation: Like an owl yearning for the moon. This describes someone longing for something unattainable.
Dia terus menantikan cinta dari orang yang tak mencintainya, bagai pungguk merindukan bulan.

Buang air ke daun keladi
Translation: Pour water on a taro leaf. It’s used to describe efforts that have no effect, as water will just roll off the waxy surface of a taro leaf.
Menasehati dia itu sama saja dengan buang air ke daun keladi, dia tak pernah mendengarkan.

Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung
Translation: Wherever you stand on the ground, there you must uphold the sky. This idiom means to respect the local customs and culture of the place you are in.
Walaupun kamu tidak suka aturan di sini, ingat, di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung.

Gajah di pelupuk mata tidak terlihat, kuman di seberang lautan tampak
Translation: An elephant in front of the eyes cannot be seen, yet a germ across the sea is visible. It’s akin to the proverb “can’t see the forest for the trees,” indicating that someone is overlooking a large problem while focusing on something insignificant.
Ia sibuk mengurus masalah orang lain, sementara masalah besar dalam hidupnya sendiri seperti gajah di pelupuk mata tidak terlihat.

Kayu sudah di air
Translation: The wood is already in the water. This idiom suggests that what has happened cannot be undone, much like wood that’s already been set adrift on a river.
Jangan menyesal, apa yang sudah terjadi tak bisa diubah. Kayu sudah di air.

Lebih baik asam di darat, daripada ikan di air
Translation: Better be a tamarind on land than a fish in the water. This means it’s better to be an expert or important person in a small or less significant environment rather than be insignificant in a prestigious one.
Saya memilih menjadi guru di desa saya daripada pekerja kantoran di kota, lebih baik asam di darat, daripada ikan di air.

Bagai menyiram minyak ke api
Translation: Like pouring oil on a fire. It describes actions that worsen a situation or conflict.
Jangan terpancing emosinya dan ikut berargumentasi, itu sama saja dengan menyiram minyak ke api.

Indonesian idioms are more than just expressions; they convey wisdom, humor, and the cultural values of the Indonesian people. By incorporating them into your conversational skills, you not only enhance your language proficiency but also gain deeper insights into the way Indonesians think and feel. As you continue your journey of learning Indonesian, be daring and try using these idioms. With practice, you’ll find that they add a rich layer of expression to your conversations, making your interactions more engaging and authentic. Selamat belajar, or happy learning!