When learning a new language, one of the first sets of vocabulary that you are likely to need pertains to descriptions of physical appearance. In Indonesian, as with many languages, there is a rich vocabulary available for describing the way people look. Here’s a guide to some common Indonesian words and phrases used to describe physical appearance along with their definitions and example sentences.

Rambut: This means “hair” in Indonesian. It can be used to describe the hair on someone’s head.
Dia memiliki rambut panjang dan ikal.

Mata: The Indonesian word for “eyes”. This can be used to describe the color, shape, or expression of someone’s eyes.
Matanya biru dan sangat indah.

Tinggi: This word means “tall” and is used to describe someone’s height.
Adikku sangat tinggi untuk usianya.

Pendek: Conversely, “pendek” means “short”.
Ia pendek tetapi gesit.

Kurus: This means “thin” or “slim” in Indonesian.
Pacar saya kurus dan tinggi.

Gemuk: This word describes someone who is “fat” or “chubby”.
Anak kucing itu gemuk dan lucu.

Kulit: This term refers to “skin”. It can be used to describe the color or texture of someone’s skin.
Kulitnya putih dan halus.

Cantik: Meaning “beautiful”, especially used for females.
Dia sangat cantik dengan rambut panjangnya itu.

Tampan: This is the Indonesian word for “handsome”, generally used for males.
Dia pria yang tampan dengan senyum menarik.

Langsing: This is used to describe someone who is “slender”.
Model itu sangat langsing dan tinggi.

Berkacamata: This phrase means “wearing glasses”.
Orang di pojok itu berkulit gelap dan berkacamata.

Senyum: The word “senyum” translates to “smile” and can be used to describe someone’s smiling expression.
Senyumnya selalu membuat hari saya lebih cerah.

Understanding these words is just the beginning of being able to describe people in Indonesian. Combine these with other vocabulary that you learn, and you’ll be able to give quite detailed descriptions of individuals’ appearances. Keep in mind that cultural sensitivity is important when commenting on physical appearances, and it’s always good to ensure that your comments are polite and considerate.

By expanding your vocabulary further, you can talk about not only what a person looks like but also their style, e.g., gaya berpakaian (dressing style) and present more elaborate descriptions such as dia memakai pakaian yang serasi dengan rambut pirang dan mata birunya (she is wearing clothes that match well with her blonde hair and blue eyes). As you practice your Indonesian, you’ll find it increasingly easier to notice and describe the diverse beauty spotted in the people you meet. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)