Learning a new language is an exciting adventure that opens doors to new cultures, people, and experiences. Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is a rich and beautiful language spoken by millions of people across Indonesia. If you’re just starting your journey with Indonesian, mastering some essential vocabulary is a great way to begin. In this article, we’ll cover 50 essential words you need to know for Indonesian at the A1 level, which will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

Basic Greetings and Phrases

1. **Halo** – Hello
– A simple greeting that you can use in almost any situation.

2. **Selamat pagi** – Good morning
– Used to greet someone in the morning until about 11 AM.

3. **Selamat siang** – Good afternoon
– Used from around 11 AM until 3 PM.

4. **Selamat sore** – Good evening
– Used from around 3 PM until sunset.

5. **Selamat malam** – Good night
– Used after sunset and also when saying goodbye at night.

6. **Apa kabar?** – How are you?
– A common way to ask someone about their well-being.

7. **Baik** – Good/fine
– A typical response to “Apa kabar?”

8. **Terima kasih** – Thank you
– An essential phrase for expressing gratitude.

9. **Sama-sama** – You’re welcome
– A polite response to “Terima kasih.”

10. **Maaf** – Sorry
– Used to apologize or get someone’s attention.

Numbers and Quantities

11. **Satu** – One
12. **Dua** – Two
13. **Tiga** – Three
14. **Empat** – Four
15. **Lima** – Five
16. **Enam** – Six
17. **Tujuh** – Seven
18. **Delapan** – Eight
19. **Sembilan** – Nine
20. **Sepuluh** – Ten

Knowing numbers is crucial for various everyday situations such as shopping, telling time, and understanding prices.

Common Verbs

21. **Makan** – To eat
– Useful for discussing meals and food.

22. **Minum** – To drink
– Important for ordering beverages or talking about drinks.

23. **Tidur** – To sleep
– A basic verb that’s essential for discussing daily routines.

24. **Pergi** – To go
– Useful for talking about travel and movement.

25. **Datang** – To come
– Often used in invitations and planning.

26. **Melihat** – To see
– Important for describing actions and experiences.

27. **Mendengar** – To hear
– Useful in conversations about sounds and listening.

28. **Berbicara** – To speak
– Essential for discussing communication and language.

29. **Tahu** – To know
– Useful for expressing knowledge and awareness.

30. **Suka** – To like
– Important for talking about preferences and interests.

People and Relationships

31. **Orang** – Person/people
– A versatile word for referring to individuals or groups.

32. **Keluarga** – Family
– Essential for discussing personal relationships.

33. **Teman** – Friend
– Important for social interactions and building relationships.

34. **Anak** – Child
– Useful when talking about family and children.

35. **Ibu** – Mother
– Essential for discussing family members.

36. **Bapak** – Father
– Another important family-related word.

Places and Directions

37. **Rumah** – House/home
– Useful for discussing living situations and locations.

38. **Sekolah** – School
– Important for conversations about education.

39. **Kantor** – Office
– Useful for talking about work and business locations.

40. **Pasar** – Market
– Essential for discussing shopping and local commerce.

41. **Jalan** – Street/road
– Important for giving and understanding directions.

42. **Di mana** – Where
– A crucial phrase for asking about locations.

Food and Drink

43. **Makanan** – Food
– A general term for all types of food.

44. **Minuman** – Drink
– A general term for all types of beverages.

45. **Nasi** – Rice
– A staple food in Indonesian cuisine.

46. **Ayam** – Chicken
– Commonly used in many Indonesian dishes.

47. **Air** – Water
– Essential for asking for or discussing water.

Days of the Week

48. **Senin** – Monday
49. **Selasa** – Tuesday
50. **Rabu** – Wednesday

Practical Usage Tips

As you start using these words in your daily conversations, here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your learning experience:

– **Practice Regularly**: Consistency is key when learning a new language. Make it a habit to practice these words daily, whether through flashcards, apps, or conversations with native speakers.

– **Use in Context**: Try to use these words in sentences to understand their context better. For example, instead of just memorizing “makan,” use it in a sentence like “Saya mau makan” (I want to eat).

– **Listen and Repeat**: Listening to native speakers and repeating after them can significantly improve your pronunciation and understanding of the language’s rhythm and intonation.

– **Engage with Native Content**: Watching Indonesian movies, listening to Indonesian music, or reading simple Indonesian books can expose you to these words in their natural context and enhance your learning experience.

– **Speak Without Fear**: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The more you practice speaking, the more confident you’ll become. Native speakers are usually very encouraging and appreciative of your efforts to learn their language.

Conclusion

Learning these 50 essential words is a fantastic starting point for anyone beginning their journey with Indonesian. They cover a wide range of everyday situations and will help you build a strong foundation in the language. Remember to practice regularly, use the words in context, and engage with native content to enhance your learning experience. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)