bahasa Indonesia
/baˈhasa in.ˈdo.nɛ.sɪ.(j)a/word by word
The English phrase "indonesian" (referring to the language) is bahasa Indonesia in Indonesian.
bahasa Indonesia is the term used to refer to the Indonesian language. While the word Indonesia can be used as an adjective meaning "Indonesian", it is used alone to refer to the country itself.
Meaning: language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word bahasa literally means "language".
Which one should you use?
bahasa Indonesia specifically refers to the national language. In contrast, the word Indonesia alone refers to the country or acts as the adjective "Indonesian".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase bahasa Indonesia follows a noun-adjective order, where the noun bahasa precedes the proper adjective Indonesia.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈhasa in.ˈdo.nɛ.sɪ.(j)a/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use the word Bahasa to mean the Indonesian language, but this is considered incorrect or incomplete in formal Indonesian because bahasa simply means "language" in a general sense.
Did you know?
- The name 'Indonesia' is a hybrid construction involving Ancient Greek elements for 'India' and 'islands'.
- Indonesian is a standardized form of Malay, meaning bahasa Indonesia and bahasa Melayu are closely related and often mutually intelligible.
Examples in context
- Belajar bahasa Indonesia itu mudah.Studying Indonesian is easy.This sentence shows that studying bahasa Indonesia is easy.Tatoeba #6896187 by ngimoel, translation #6900076 by TingBuDong
- Apakah Anda bisa berbicara bahasa Indonesia?Can you speak Indonesian?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can speak bahasa Indonesia.Tatoeba #1505042 by menyo, translation #1476311 by rafael8243
- Buku-buku ini ditulis dalam bahasa Indonesia.These books are written in Indonesian.This sentence describes books written in bahasa Indonesia.Tatoeba #11600550 by Pacific, translation #11683983 by Pacific
- Saya suka belajar Bahasa Indonesia.I enjoy learning Indonesian.
- Bahasa Nasional mampu mempersatukan kita.The national language can unite us.
- Gue lagi belajar Bahasa Indo, nih!I'm currently learning Bahasa Indo!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maya and Rian are discussing their language course.
- MayaApakah kamu mengerti bahasa Indonesia?Do you understand Indonesian?
- RianSedikit, saya masih belajar bahasa Indonesia.A little, I am still learning Indonesian.
- MayaBahasa Indonesia sangat penting untuk pekerjaan kita.Indonesian is very important for our work.
- RianKamu benar, Maya.You are right, Maya.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indonesian” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bahasa, Indonesia) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Indonesia, bahasa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
