bayi
/ˈbaji/
The English word "baby" is translated into Indonesian as bayi.
The term bayi refers specifically to a very young human being or an infant. Unlike in English, it is not used as a term of endearment for a romantic partner.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term bayi is the standard word for a baby. For more affectionate or informal ways to refer to a child, you can use Si Kecil or Buah Hati.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "babies", you can use the reduplication bayi-bayi.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaji/
When do people say it?
While English speakers often use "baby" to address a romantic partner, doing so in Indonesian with bayi would be incorrect as it only refers to an infant. For a more affectionate way to talk about a child, you can use the endearing phrase Buah Hati, which literally means "fruit of the heart".
Did you know?
- The phrase Buah Hati treats a child as the 'fruit' of the heart, reflecting a common Indonesian linguistic pattern of using 'fruit' (buah) to describe the most precious result or essence of something.
- The term Si Kecil uses the particle Si, which is a specific Indonesian marker used before nicknames or descriptions to create a sense of familiarity or affection toward the child.
- The word bayi is part of a linguistic continuum with Malay, as it is a shared term between the two closely related languages.
Examples in context
- Bayi itu namanya Tom.The baby is called Tom.This sentence is useful for identifying a baby by name using bayi.Tatoeba #13705750 by HAGNi, translation #45868 by CK
- Usia bayi ini tiga minggu.This baby is 3 weeks old.This sentence is useful for stating the age of a bayi.Tatoeba #3963696 by orion17, translation #58191 by CK
- Dia punya bayi yang sehat.She had a healthy baby.This sentence is useful for describing a bayi as being healthy.Tatoeba #5209865 by Bilmanda, translation #554450 by CM
- Bayi tersebut sangat imut.That baby is very cute.
- Bagaimana cara merawat anak bayi dengan baik?How can I take good care of a baby?
- Si kecil sudah bisa merangkak.The little one can crawl now.
- Aku akan memberikan susu pada buah hatiku.I will give milk to my little sweetheart.
- Bayi ini sangat lucu!This baby is so cute!
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Adi and Putri are looking at a photo of Putri's relative.
- AdiSiapa bayi yang lucu ini?Who is this cute baby?
- PutriItu bayi sepupu saya.That is my cousin's baby.
- AdiKapan bayi ini lahir?When was this baby born?
- PutriBaru lahir bulan lalu.Just born last month.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries bayi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bayi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
