Which one should you use?
While kamu is the standard informal way to say "you", the term Kau is also used informally and is considered more intimate than kamu. For formal situations, you should use Anda, which is the most common formal version of "you" used in professional settings or when addressing strangers politely. Other formal options include addressing someone as Bapak (Sir/Mr.), Ibu (Madam/Mrs.), or the gender-neutral formal term Saudara.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Kamu is an informal term used for friends, peers or people younger than you. In contrast, Anda is used for professional or polite settings with strangers. To show respect in formal contexts, you can also use kinship terms like Bapak or Ibu or the term Saudara.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkamu/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using kamu to address a teacher, an elder or a superior is considered rude and overly familiar.
When do people say it?
In many social situations, Indonesians avoid using any direct pronoun for "you" to remain polite. Instead, they often use the person's name or a kinship term to address them.
Did you know?
- The term Anda is a relatively modern invention designed to provide a neutral, polite way to say 'you' without the social complexities of kinship terms.
- Indonesians often use the word Kakak, meaning 'older sibling', as a substitute for kamu when addressing strangers of a similar age to be friendly yet polite.
- The term Saudara is used as a formal 'you' and literally translates to 'sibling' or 'relative'.
Examples in context
- Kamu mau ke mana?Where are you going to?This sentence shows how to ask someone where they are going using kamu.Tatoeba #4607167 by Bilmanda, translation #371443 by saeb
- Kamu mau es krim?Do you want some ice cream?This sentence is a way to offer ice cream to someone using kamu.Tatoeba #13807656 by HAGNi, translation #3424156 by CK
- Apa kamu mau ikut?Do you want to come along?This sentence asks if someone wants to join using kamu.Tatoeba #773598 by windra, translation #27693 by CK
- Anda sangat berbakat.You are very talented.
- Bapak sedang sibuk?Are you busy, Sir?
- Ibu dapat membantu saya?Can you help me, Madam?
- Saudara mau pergi ke mana?Where are you going?
- Kamu suka makan nasi goreng?Do you like fried rice?
- Kau bilang apa tadi?What did you say earlier?
- Manca suka makan soto, ga?Do you like eating soto?
- 1777 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking in a park.
- DimasApakah kamu sudah makan?Have you eaten yet?
- PutriBelum, Dimas.Not yet, Dimas.
- DimasKamu mau makan bareng?Do you want to eat together?
- PutriBoleh, ayo!Sure, let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries kamu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
