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Indonesian Terms of Address Guide

Learn the appropriate terms of address in Indonesian to speak to different individuals with respect and cultural sensitivity. Understand when to use Bapak, Bu, Kamu, Anda, Adik-adik, Nak, Mbak, Mas, Abang, Saya, and more. Discover how to address people based on age, familiarity, and formality in Indonesian language.

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Indonesian Terms of Address Guide

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  1. Terms of Address When speaking to s.o. and want to say ‘you’ take care to choose appropriate address Bapak for older men, teachers Bu for older women, teachers When speaking to children or good friends & relatives use Kamu When speaking to people of a similar age to you or if you don’t know them well use Anda.

  2. Terms of address cont Adik-adik (younger sibling) is a polite term of address for speaking to a younger person in an everyday situation. Mau minum apa, adik-adik ? What would you like to drink, kids ?

  3. Nak ! (anak – child/children) Another informal term would be ‘Nak’. This is an acceptable term for speaking to younger people (kids). Indonesians commonly use family terms to address one another. This shows respect and means you don’t have to worry about knowing everyones’ names.

  4. Mbak dan Mas These terms come from the Javanese language MBAK used for young women who arent old enough to be called Bu. A bit like ‘sister’. Good for addressing shop assistants etc. MAS used for young men who havent made it to Pak status. A bit like calling s.o. ‘brother’ or ‘mate’.

  5. Abang or (bang) – elder brother Used respectfully but informally to men who work in certain low status, unskilled occupations e.g. abang becak. “Bang ! Bang! Becaknya dipakai, ndak?” Mate ! Mate! Is your becak free ?

  6. Saya I for general use aku I used with close friends Gue I slang, only ever used informally

  7. Kamu You commonly used among friends Anda You general use, esp.when you don’t know them Kalian you plural for groups Engkau informal you, rarely used Saudara you very formal Lu you slang use only

  8. Formal & everyday language • Bahasa Remaja or Prokem – slang is used amongst young people in informal & relaxed situations. • In all formal situations standard Indonesian must be used. • In Indonesia how close you are to a person determines what pronouns you use. English generally uses you and I. These can be used in any situation.

  9. Saya distant & formal • Aku close & formal • Gue close & slang

  10. You • Kamu close & informal • Anda Neutral – used in advertising • Saudara distant & very formal • Bapak/ibu very polite • Name polite • Engkau close & informal (rarely used) • Lu close & slang

  11. Choosing which form to use depends on your relationship with the person you are addressing. • For example, if speaking to a close friend, you would probably use ‘aku’ & ‘kamu’ • If you were a young child talking to an older woman ‘saya’ & ‘ibu’ or ‘bu’ would be appropriate. • When young people talk amongst themselves formal or polite terms are rarely used.

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