If you've been learning Indonesian for a while, you might have noticed that Indonesians don't always use the words you find in textbooks.

You might see someone say “Ngakak!”, “Kok ngegas?”, or “Satset banget” and wonder, Wait... what does that even mean? 😅

Here are 13 Indonesian slang words and expressions you'll often come across in everyday conversations and online.

1. Ngakak

Ngakak means laughing really hard. It's often used when something is extremely funny.

Videonya bikin aku ngakak.
The video made me laugh so hard.

You can also simply say:

Ngakak banget!
I'm dying laughing!

---

2. Sat-set

Sat-set describes doing something quickly and efficiently.

Dia kalau kerja sat-set banget.
She's really quick when she works.

You might also hear:

Kalau disuruh, dia langsung sat-set.
When you ask her to do something, she gets right on it.

---

3. Lebay

Lebay means overly dramatic or exaggerated.

Lebay banget sih kamu!
You're being so dramatic!

For example, if your friend gets a tiny scratch and acts like they've been seriously injured, you might call them lebay.

---

4. Ngegas

Ngegas literally relates to “stepping on the gas,” but in conversation it means becoming aggressive, angry, or speaking harshly.

Santai aja, kok ngegas?
Relax, why are you getting so aggressive?

It can also describe someone who gets worked up very quickly.

---

5. Mokondo

Mokondo is slang for a man who contributes nothing financially or materially in a relationship.

Dia bilang pacarnya mokondo.
She said her boyfriend doesn't contribute anything.

This is quite a strong and potentially offensive term, so use it carefully.

---

6. Mager

Mager comes from malas gerak, literally “lazy to move.”

It means you don't feel like getting up or doing anything.

Aku mager banget hari ini.
I'm so lazy today.

Mager keluar rumah.
I can't be bothered to leave the house.

Very useful when you just want to stay in bed.

---

7. Asbun

Asbun is short for asal bunyi, literally “just making sounds.”

It describes someone who talks or makes statements without thinking or without knowing the facts.

Jangan asbun kalau nggak tahu faktanya.
Don't make things up if you don't know the facts.

You might use it when someone confidently gives an opinion without knowing what they're talking about.

---

8. Kepo

You've probably seen this one before!

Kepo means being overly curious about other people's business.

Kepo banget sih kamu!
You're so nosy!

For example:

Kok kamu kepo banget sama kehidupan orang?
Why are you so curious about other people's lives?

---

9. Baper

Baper comes from bawa perasaan, literally “to carry your feelings.”

It means becoming emotionally affected by something, especially when you take something too personally or develop feelings.

Jangan baper, dia cuma bercanda.
Don't take it personally. He was just joking.

It can also be used romantically:

Aku takut baper sama dia.
I'm afraid I'll catch feelings for him.

---

10. Ngaret

Ngaret means being late, especially when someone has a habit of not arriving on time.

Dia selalu ngaret kalau janjian.
He's always late when we make plans.

You can also say:

Jangan ngaret, ya!
Don't be late!

---

11. Receh

Receh literally means “small change,” but when talking about humor, it describes something silly, simple, or ridiculously unfunny—but somehow funny.

Humornya receh banget.
His humor is so silly.

A simple joke that makes you laugh even though you know it's terrible? That's receh.

---

12. Kacang

Kacang actually means peanut. But for slang, it can be used in the expression “dikacangin.”

Dikacangin means being ignored, especially when someone deliberately acts as if they don't see or hear you.

Aku udah chat dia, tapi dikacangin.
I already texted him, but he ignored me.

So if someone leaves you on read or deliberately ignores you, you might say:

Aku dikacangin!

---

13. Julid

Julid is being spiteful, especially making negative comments about other people.

Jangan julid sama orang.
Don't be so spiteful toward people 

---

Which Ones Should You Learn First?

If you're learning Indonesian and want to understand casual conversations, I'd start with:

mager → kepo → baper → lebay → ngakak → ngegas → ngaret → receh

And remember: these are casual slang, so you wouldn't normally use them in formal situations like a job interview or a formal presentation.

But when you're chatting with Indonesian friends or scrolling through Indonesian social media?

You'll probably see them everywhere. 🇮🇩