Learning Indonesian from a textbook is one thing. But what do Indonesians actually say in everyday situations?

Here are 10 simple, natural Indonesian conversations you can use in real life. I've also included some casual expressions that you might not find in your textbook.

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1. Making Plans

A: Besok jadi pergi nggak?
B: Jadi. Mau ke mana?
A: Ke kafe yang baru itu, yuk.
B: Boleh. Jam berapa?

English:

A: Are we still going tomorrow?
B: Yep. Where do you want to go?
A: Let's go to that new café.
B: Sure. What time?

Useful expression:
Jadi? = Are we still doing it? / Is it still happening?

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2. Being Late

A: Kamu di mana?
B: Maaf, aku masih di jalan.
A: Oh, masih lama?
B: Nggak kok. Lima menit lagi.

English:

A: Where are you?
B: Sorry, I'm still on my way.
A: Oh, are you going to be much longer?
B: No. Five more minutes.

Useful expression:
Masih di jalan = still on the way

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3. Ordering Food

A: Mau pesan apa?
B: Aku mau nasi goreng.
A: Pedas nggak?
B: Pedas sedikit aja.

English:

A: What do you want to order?
B: I'll have fried rice.
A: Spicy?
B: Just a little spicy.

Useful expression:
Sedikit aja = just a little

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4. Buying Something

A: Kak, ini berapa?
B: Lima puluh ribu.
A: Bisa kurang?
B: Empat puluh lima deh.

English:

A: How much is this?
B: Fifty thousand.
A: Can you lower the price?
B: How about forty-five?

Useful expression:
Bisa kurang? = Can you lower the price?

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5. Making Small Talk

A: Lagi ngapain?
B: Lagi santai aja di rumah. Kamu?
A: Sama. Lagi nggak ada kerjaan.

English:

A: What are you doing?
B: Just relaxing at home. You?
A: Same. I don't have anything to do.

Useful expressions:
Lagi ngapain? = What are you doing?
Santai aja = Just relaxing / taking it easy

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6. Asking Someone to Wait

A: Tunggu sebentar, ya. Aku ambil tas dulu.
B: Oke, santai.

English:

A: Wait a moment. I'll get my bag first.
B: Okay, no rush.

Useful expression:
Sebentar = a moment / a little while

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7. Cancelling Plans

A: Jadi pergi malam ini?
B: Kayaknya nggak jadi deh. Aku lagi capek banget.
A: Oh, yaudah. Lain kali aja.

English:

A: So, are we still going tonight?
B: I don't think so. I'm really tired.
A: Oh, okay. Maybe next time.

Useful expressions:
Nggak jadi = not going ahead with the plan
Yaudah = okay then / alright

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8. Apologizing

A: Maaf ya, tadi aku lupa balas chat kamu.
B: Nggak apa-apa.
A: Tadi lagi sibuk banget soalnya.

English:

A: Sorry, I forgot to reply to your message earlier.
B: It's okay.
A: Because i was really busy earlier.

Useful expression:
Soalnya = because / the thing is...

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9. Asking for Directions

A: Permisi, kalau mau ke stasiun lewat mana, ya?
B: Lurus aja, terus belok kiri di lampu merah.
A: Oh, oke. Makasih!
B: Sama-sama.

English:

A: Excuse me, how do I get to the station?
B: Just go straight, then turn left at the traffic light.
A: Oh, okay. Thanks!
B: You're welcome.

Useful expression:
Lurus aja = just go straight

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10. Chatting With a Friend

A: Eh, kamu udah makan?
B: Udah. Kamu?
A: Belum nih. Malas masak. 😂
B: Yaudah, pesan aja.

English:

A: Hey, have you eaten?
B: Yeah. You?
A: Not yet. I'm too lazy to cook. 😂
B: Then just order something.

Useful expressions:
Udah = already
Belum = not yet
Nih = adds a casual/emphatic feeling
Pesan aja = just order something

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Want to Sound More Natural?

Notice how these conversations use words like udah, lagi, aja, deh, nih, yaudah, soalnya, and kayaknya.

They're not complicated, but they make your Indonesian sound much more natural and conversational.

So don't worry about speaking perfect Indonesian all the time. Start with the expressions people actually use in everyday conversations.

Selamat belajar! 🇮🇩