Learning Indonesian can open up a world of opportunities. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and has a rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re planning to travel, do business, or just broaden your linguistic skills, learning Indonesian can be incredibly beneficial. Moreover, the language is relatively easy to learn for English speakers, thanks to its straightforward grammar and phonetic pronunciation.

How to Learn 50 Words a Day

Learning 50 words a day may seem daunting, but with a structured approach, it’s entirely achievable. Here are some strategies:

1. Flashcards: Flashcards are an effective tool for memorization. Write the Indonesian word on one side and the English translation on the other.

2. Repetition: Repetition helps in retaining new words. Repeat each word multiple times throughout the day.

3. Contextual Learning: Use the new words in sentences to understand their context.

4. Technology: Utilize apps and online resources that offer structured vocabulary lessons.

5. Practice: Practice speaking, reading, and writing the words.

Day 1: Basic Greetings

Starting with basic greetings can help you initiate conversations and make a good first impression.

1. Selamat pagi – Good morning
2. Selamat siang – Good afternoon
3. Selamat sore – Good evening
4. Selamat malam – Good night
5. Halo – Hello
6. Apa kabar? – How are you?
7. Baik – Good
8. Terima kasih – Thank you
9. Sama-sama – You’re welcome
10. Tolong – Please
11. Maaf – Sorry
12. Permisi – Excuse me
13. Sampai jumpa – See you
14. Selamat tinggal – Goodbye
15. Nama saya… – My name is…

Day 2: Numbers and Counting

Numbers are essential for various daily tasks such as shopping, telling time, and giving directions.

16. Satu – One
17. Dua – Two
18. Tiga – Three
19. Empat – Four
20. Lima – Five
21. Enam – Six
22. Tujuh – Seven
23. Delapan – Eight
24. Sembilan – Nine
25. Sepuluh – Ten
26. Sebelas – Eleven
27. Dua belas – Twelve
28. Tiga belas – Thirteen
29. Dua puluh – Twenty
30. Tiga puluh – Thirty

Day 3: Common Phrases

Learning common phrases can help you navigate everyday situations smoothly.

31. Berapa harga? – How much is it?
32. Di mana? – Where is…?
33. Saya tidak mengerti – I don’t understand
34. Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris? – Can you speak English?
35. Saya suka – I like
36. Saya tidak suka – I don’t like
37. Saya mau – I want
38. Saya tidak mau – I don’t want
39. Apa ini? – What is this?
40. Tolong bantu saya – Please help me
41. Saya lapar – I am hungry
42. Saya haus – I am thirsty
43. Saya lelah – I am tired
44. Saya sakit – I am sick
45. Ayo pergi – Let’s go
46. Bagaimana cuaca? – How is the weather?
47. Ini indah – This is beautiful
48. Selamat datang – Welcome
49. Saya senang bertemu denganmu – Nice to meet you
50. Saya tinggal di… – I live in…

Day 4: Foods and Drinks

Knowing the names of foods and drinks can be particularly useful when dining out or shopping for groceries.

51. Nasi – Rice
52. Ayam – Chicken
53. Daging – Meat
54. Ikan – Fish
55. Sayur – Vegetables
56. Buah – Fruit
57. Air – Water
58. Teh – Tea
59. Kopi – Coffee
60. Susu – Milk
61. Roti – Bread
62. Keju – Cheese
63. Telur – Egg
64. Gula – Sugar
65. Garam – Salt
66. Lada – Pepper
67. Minyak – Oil
68. Mentega – Butter
69. Kue – Cake
70. Es krim – Ice cream

Day 5: Family and Relationships

Understanding terms related to family and relationships can help you connect with people on a more personal level.

71. Ayah – Father
72. Ibu – Mother
73. Saudara laki-laki – Brother
74. Saudara perempuan – Sister
75. Anak laki-laki – Son
76. Anak perempuan – Daughter
77. Kakek – Grandfather
78. Nenek – Grandmother
79. Paman – Uncle
80. Bibi – Aunt
81. Sepupu – Cousin
82. Teman – Friend
83. Suami – Husband
84. Istri – Wife
85. Pacar – Boyfriend/Girlfriend
86. Anak – Child
87. Bayi – Baby
88. Orang tua – Parents
89. Keluarga – Family
90. Saudara – Sibling

Day 6: Days and Time

Knowing how to talk about days and time is crucial for planning and scheduling.

91. Senin – Monday
92. Selasa – Tuesday
93. Rabu – Wednesday
94. Kamis – Thursday
95. Jumat – Friday
96. Sabtu – Saturday
97. Minggu – Sunday
98. Hari – Day
99. Jam – Hour
100. Menit – Minute
101. Detik – Second
102. Pagi – Morning
103. Siang – Afternoon
104. Sore – Evening
105. Malam – Night
106. Kemarin – Yesterday
107. Hari ini – Today
108. Besok – Tomorrow
109. Minggu depan – Next week
110. Bulan depan – Next month

Day 7: Colors and Shapes

Knowing colors and shapes can help you describe objects and surroundings more accurately.

111. Merah – Red
112. Biru – Blue
113. Hijau – Green
114. Kuning – Yellow
115. Hitam – Black
116. Putih – White
117. Cokelat – Brown
118. Abu-abu – Gray
119. Ungu – Purple
120. Jingga – Orange
121. Lingkaran – Circle
122. Persegi – Square
123. Segitiga – Triangle
124. Persegi panjang – Rectangle
125. Oval – Oval
126. Bintang – Star
127. Berlian – Diamond
128. Hati – Heart
129. Kubus – Cube
130. Piramida – Pyramid

Day 8: Travel and Transportation

Understanding travel and transportation terms can greatly ease your journey through Indonesia.

131. Mobil – Car
132. Sepeda – Bicycle
133. Kereta api – Train
134. Pesawat – Airplane
135. Kapal – Ship
136. Motor – Motorcycle
137. Taksi – Taxi
138. Bus – Bus
139. Stasiun – Station
140. Bandara – Airport
141. Pelabuhan – Port
142. Jalan – Street
143. Jalan tol – Highway
144. Tiket – Ticket
145. Bagasi – Luggage
146. Peta – Map
147. Terminal – Terminal
148. Peron – Platform
149. Tujuan – Destination
150. Perjalanan – Journey

Day 9: Nature and Weather

Being familiar with nature and weather terms will help you understand weather forecasts and describe natural surroundings.

151. Hujan – Rain
152. Panas – Hot
153. Dingin – Cold
154. Berawan – Cloudy
155. Cerah – Sunny
156. Angin – Wind
157. Salju – Snow
158. Badai – Storm
159. Pohon – Tree
160. Bunga – Flower
161. Gunung – Mountain
162. Laut – Sea
163. Pantai – Beach
164. Sungai – River
165. Hutan – Forest
166. Danau – Lake
167. Pulau – Island
168. Langit – Sky
169. Matahari – Sun
170. Bulan – Moon

Day 10: Work and Professions

Knowing work-related vocabulary can be particularly useful if you’re planning to work in Indonesia or engage with professionals.

171. Pekerjaan – Job
172. Kantor – Office
173. Bos – Boss
174. Karyawan – Employee
175. Guru – Teacher
176. Dokter – Doctor
177. Perawat – Nurse
178. Insinyur – Engineer
179. Pengacara – Lawyer
180. Polisi – Police
181. Tentara – Soldier
182. Pilot – Pilot
183. Sopir – Driver
184. Penulis – Writer
185. Seniman – Artist
186. Akuntan – Accountant
187. Pemadam kebakaran – Firefighter
188. Tukang kayu – Carpenter
189. Mekanik – Mechanic
190. Petani – Farmer

Day 11: Health and Medical Terms

Understanding health and medical terms can be crucial in emergency situations or when visiting a doctor.

191. Dokter – Doctor
192. Apotek – Pharmacy
193. Obat – Medicine
194. Rumah sakit – Hospital
195. Klinik – Clinic
196. Demam – Fever
197. Batuk – Cough
198. Sakit kepala – Headache
199. Luka – Wound
200. Darah – Blood

Conclusion

Learning 50 Indonesian words a day may seem challenging, but with dedication and the right strategies, it is entirely achievable. From basic greetings and numbers to more complex vocabulary related to professions and health, mastering these words will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Indonesian. Use tools like flashcards, repetition, and contextual learning to make the process easier. Happy learning!