Learning a new language is always an exciting journey, and reaching the A2 level in Indonesian is a significant milestone. At this stage, you should be able to understand and use frequently used expressions and communicate in simple and routine tasks. To help you progress, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of essential Indonesian words and phrases that every A2 learner should know. This guide will cover various categories, including greetings, everyday vocabulary, family terms, food-related words, and more.

Greetings and Common Expressions

Being able to greet people and use common expressions is fundamental in any language. Here are some basic greetings and expressions you should know:

– **Selamat pagi** (Good morning)
– **Selamat siang** (Good afternoon)
– **Selamat sore** (Good evening)
– **Selamat malam** (Good night)
– **Apa kabar?** (How are you?)
– **Baik, terima kasih** (Good, thank you)
– **Sampai jumpa** (See you later)
– **Selamat tinggal** (Goodbye)
– **Terima kasih** (Thank you)
– **Sama-sama** (You’re welcome)
– **Maaf** (Sorry)

These expressions will help you in initiating and maintaining simple conversations with native speakers.

Basic Verbs

Knowing basic verbs is crucial for constructing sentences. Here are some common verbs you’ll frequently use:

– **Makan** (to eat)
– **Minum** (to drink)
– **Tidur** (to sleep)
– **Belajar** (to study)
– **Bekerja** (to work)
– **Pergi** (to go)
– **Datang** (to come)
– **Melihat** (to see)
– **Mendengar** (to hear)
– **Berbicara** (to speak)
– **Menulis** (to write)
– **Membaca** (to read)

These verbs will help you express basic actions and build more complex sentences.

Family Terms

Talking about family is a common topic of conversation. Here are some essential family-related terms:

– **Ayah** (Father)
– **Ibu** (Mother)
– **Anak** (Child)
– **Saudara** (Sibling)
– **Kakak** (Older sibling)
– **Adik** (Younger sibling)
– **Kakek** (Grandfather)
– **Nenek** (Grandmother)
– **Suami** (Husband)
– **Istri** (Wife)

These terms will help you discuss your family and understand others when they talk about theirs.

Numbers and Time

Understanding numbers and telling time are essential skills. Here are some basic numbers and time-related words:

– **Satu** (One)
– **Dua** (Two)
– **Tiga** (Three)
– **Empat** (Four)
– **Lima** (Five)
– **Enam** (Six)
– **Tujuh** (Seven)
– **Delapan** (Eight)
– **Sembilan** (Nine)
– **Sepuluh** (Ten)

For telling time:

– **Jam** (Hour)
– **Menit** (Minute)
– **Detik** (Second)
– **Pagi** (Morning)
– **Siang** (Afternoon)
– **Sore** (Evening)
– **Malam** (Night)

These words will help you in scheduling and understanding dates and times.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are essential parts of daily life and culture. Here are some common words related to food and drink:

– **Makanan** (Food)
– **Minuman** (Drink)
– **Nasi** (Rice)
– **Ayam** (Chicken)
– **Ikan** (Fish)
– **Daging** (Meat)
– **Sayur** (Vegetable)
– **Buah** (Fruit)
– **Air** (Water)
– **Teh** (Tea)
– **Kopi** (Coffee)
– **Roti** (Bread)

These words will help you order food, discuss meals, and understand menus.

Common Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe nouns. Here are some common adjectives:

– **Besar** (Big)
– **Kecil** (Small)
– **Panjang** (Long)
– **Pendek** (Short)
– **Bagus** (Good)
– **Buruk** (Bad)
– **Cepat** (Fast)
– **Lambat** (Slow)
– **Mahal** (Expensive)
– **Murah** (Cheap)
– **Panas** (Hot)
– **Dingin** (Cold)

These adjectives will help you describe objects and situations more vividly.

Places and Directions

Knowing how to talk about places and give or understand directions is very useful. Here are some important words in this category:

– **Rumah** (House)
– **Sekolah** (School)
– **Pasar** (Market)
– **Kantor** (Office)
– **Rumah sakit** (Hospital)
– **Toko** (Shop)
– **Jalan** (Street)
– **Kiri** (Left)
– **Kanan** (Right)
– **Depan** (Front)
– **Belakang** (Back)
– **Dekat** (Near)
– **Jauh** (Far)

These words will help you navigate and describe locations.

Weather and Nature

Discussing the weather and nature is a common topic of conversation. Here are some words to help you:

– **Cuaca** (Weather)
– **Hujan** (Rain)
– **Panas** (Hot)
– **Dingin** (Cold)
– **Salju** (Snow)
– **Angin** (Wind)
– **Matahari** (Sun)
– **Bulan** (Moon)
– **Bintang** (Star)
– **Laut** (Sea)
– **Gunung** (Mountain)
– **Hutan** (Forest)

These words will help you talk about the environment and weather conditions.

Clothing and Colors

Talking about clothing and colors is essential for everyday interactions. Here are some common words:

– **Baju** (Clothes)
– **Celana** (Pants)
– **Rok** (Skirt)
– **Kemeja** (Shirt)
– **Jaket** (Jacket)
– **Sepatu** (Shoes)
– **Merah** (Red)
– **Biru** (Blue)
– **Hijau** (Green)
– **Kuning** (Yellow)
– **Hitam** (Black)
– **Putih** (White)

These words will help you describe what you or others are wearing and talk about colors.

Transportation

Understanding transportation-related vocabulary is essential for getting around. Here are some important words:

– **Mobil** (Car)
– **Motor** (Motorcycle)
– **Sepeda** (Bicycle)
– **Bus** (Bus)
– **Kereta api** (Train)
– **Pesawat** (Airplane)
– **Taksi** (Taxi)
– **Jalan kaki** (Walking)
– **Naik** (To ride)
– **Turun** (To get off)

These words will help you understand and discuss different modes of transportation.

Health and Body

Being able to talk about health and body parts is important. Here are some essential words:

– **Dokter** (Doctor)
– **Rumah sakit** (Hospital)
– **Obat** (Medicine)
– **Sakit** (Sick)
– **Sehat** (Healthy)
– **Kepala** (Head)
– **Tangan** (Hand)
– **Kaki** (Foot)
– **Mata** (Eye)
– **Telinga** (Ear)
– **Mulut** (Mouth)
– **Hidung** (Nose)

These words will help you discuss health issues and describe body parts.

Shopping and Money

Shopping is a common activity, and knowing related vocabulary is very useful. Here are some important words:

– **Toko** (Shop)
– **Pasar** (Market)
– **Harga** (Price)
– **Uang** (Money)
– **Membeli** (To buy)
– **Menjual** (To sell)
– **Murah** (Cheap)
– **Mahal** (Expensive)
– **Diskon** (Discount)
– **Kartu kredit** (Credit card)

These words will help you navigate shopping experiences and discuss prices and payments.

School and Education

If you’re studying or talking about education, these words will be useful:

– **Sekolah** (School)
– **Universitas** (University)
– **Guru** (Teacher)
– **Siswa** (Student)
– **Kelas** (Class)
– **Pelajaran** (Lesson)
– **Ujian** (Exam)
– **Buku** (Book)
– **Pensil** (Pencil)
– **Kertas** (Paper)

These words will help you discuss educational topics and understand academic settings.

Work and Professions

Talking about work and professions is a common topic. Here are some words to help you:

– **Pekerjaan** (Job)
– **Kantor** (Office)
– **Bos** (Boss)
– **Karyawan** (Employee)
– **Gaji** (Salary)
– **Rapat** (Meeting)
– **Proyek** (Project)
– **Dokumen** (Document)
– **Email** (Email)
– **Telepon** (Telephone)

These words will help you discuss work-related topics and understand professional settings.

Hobbies and Leisure

Talking about hobbies and leisure activities is a great way to connect with others. Here are some words to help you:

– **Hobi** (Hobby)
– **Membaca** (Reading)
– **Menulis** (Writing)
– **Bermain** (Playing)
– **Olahraga** (Sports)
– **Musik** (Music)
– **Film** (Movie)
– **Perjalanan** (Travel)
– **Memasak** (Cooking)
– **Fotografi** (Photography)

These words will help you discuss your interests and hobbies with others.

Emotions and Feelings

Being able to express emotions and feelings is important for communication. Here are some essential words:

– **Senang** (Happy)
– **Sedih** (Sad)
– **Marah** (Angry)
– **Takut** (Afraid)
– **Cinta** (Love)
– **Benci** (Hate)
– **Terkejut** (Surprised)
– **Tenang** (Calm)
– **Gembira** (Joyful)
– **Khawatir** (Worried)

These words will help you express how you feel and understand others’ emotions.

Practice Makes Perfect

Now that you have a comprehensive list of essential Indonesian words for the A2 level, it’s time to practice. Here are some tips to help you incorporate these words into your daily routine:

1. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the Indonesian word on one side and the English translation on the other. Review them daily to reinforce your memory.
2. **Labeling**: Label objects around your home with their Indonesian names. This visual association will help you remember the words better.
3. **Conversation**: Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners. Use the vocabulary you’ve learned to form sentences and engage in conversations.
4. **Writing**: Write short paragraphs or diary entries using the new words. This practice will help you improve your writing skills and reinforce your vocabulary.
5. **Listening**: Listen to Indonesian songs, watch movies, or follow Indonesian podcasts. This exposure will help you understand how these words are used in context.

Remember, language learning is a journey, and consistency is key. Incorporate these words into your daily practice, and you’ll soon find yourself more confident in using Indonesian in everyday situations. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)