bus
/bʊs/
The Indonesian word for bus is bus. Wiktionary also lists bis and otobis.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indonesian | IPA |
|---|---|
| bus | /bʊs/ /bɪs/ |
| bis | /ˈbɪs/ |
| otobis |
The term refers to a vehicle used for transporting passengers.
Which one should you use?
bus is the standard spelling, while bis is a common colloquial variation used in everyday speech and writing. otobis is a formal term derived from the word 'omnibus' used for large passenger vehicles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bali and Lombok, the term Bemo refers to small vans serving as public transportation. In Bandung and West Java, Oplet is used to describe small-sized buses or minivans. In Jakarta, the informal term Metro Mini specifically refers to small blue buses.
How do you pronounce it?
/bʊs/
Did you know?
- The word bus comes from the Latin word omnibus, which means 'for all'.
Examples in context
- Aku turun dari bus.I got off the bus.This sentence is useful for describing the action of getting off the bus.Tatoeba #11133061 by HAGNi, translation #5858938 by CK
- Di mana halte busnya?Where's the bus stop?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a bus stop using the bus form.Tatoeba #4453069 by Bilmanda, translation #35234 by CK
- Dia datang dengan bus.He came by bus.This sentence is useful for describing travel by means of a bus.Tatoeba #5230955 by Bilmanda, translation #35399 by CK
- Saya ingin membeli tiket bis ke Bandung, terima kasih.I would like to buy a bus ticket to Bandung, please.
- Jam berapa bus ke mal datang?What time does the bus to the mall come?
- Ayo kita naik Metro Mini untuk menjelajahi kota!Let's take the Metro Mini to explore the city!
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Adi and Maya are waiting at a bus stop.
- AdiApakah bus sudah datang?Has the bus arrived yet?
- MayaBelum, tapi sebentar lagi sampai.Not yet, but it will arrive soon.
- AdiAku lelah menunggu bus ini.I am tired of waiting for this bus.
- MayaSabar ya, Adi.Be patient, Adi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bus” translations and entries bus, bis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bis, bus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
