How to Say "Rice" in Indonesian

nasi

/ˈnasi/

The English word 'rice' can be translated into Indonesian as either beras or nasi depending on its state.

Meaning: seeds used as food (noun)

Ways to say it

“rice” in Indonesian
Indonesian	IPA
nasi	/ˈnasi/ (Standard Indonesian)
beras	/bəˈras/ (Standard Indonesian)

In Indonesian, the term for 'rice' changes depending on whether the grains are raw or cooked.

Use beras to refer to raw, uncooked rice grains. Use nasi to refer to rice that has been cooked and is ready to eat.

/ˈnasi/

In some traditional contexts, nasi is not just food but a central element in tumpeng, a cone-shaped yellow rice tower used in celebrations to symbolize the mountain of God.
In Indonesia, asking 'Have you eaten nasi?' is often used as a common way to say 'How are you?' or as a friendly greeting.
In Indonesia, the phrase belum makan nasi meaning 'has not eaten rice' is often used to mean that a person has not eaten a proper meal at all, even if they have eaten other foods.

Tom suka nasi goreng.
Tom likes fried rice.
This sentence shows how to use nasi in the context of fried rice.
Tatoeba #11835425 by Pacific, translation #9849364 by Hybrid
Aku ingin makan nasi.
I want to eat some rice.
This sentence demonstrates using nasi to express a desire to eat.
Tatoeba #13678575 by HAGNi, translation #12436694 by Miktsoanit
Kamu sudah makan nasi?
Have you already eaten rice?
This sentence shows how to ask if someone has eaten nasi.
Tatoeba #1503809 by menyo, translation #7767173 by sharris123
Tolong beli beras saat kamu pergi ke pasar.
Please buy rice when you go to the market.
Aku suka makan nasi goreng.
I like to eat fried rice.
Saya hanya ingin makan nasi putih dan ikan bakar.
I just want to eat plain white rice and grilled fish.
35 more sentences on Tatoeba

Adi and Sari are having dinner at home.

Sources

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