Worried about the language barrier in Bali? A handful of simple phrases can make a surprising difference.
We've picked out 15 of the most useful phrases for travelers.
Take a look—they'll make your trip that much easier and more enjoyable.
YUKIEven a rough pronunciation goes a long way—no need to overthink it!
・Basic conversation skills for your Bali trip sound useful
・Learning a bit of Indonesian from scratch appeals to you
・Simple, easy-to-pronounce phrases are what you're after
・Connecting more with locals is something you'd enjoy
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What Language Do People Speak in Bali?
Indonesia is made up of nearly 13,000 islands.
Each island tends to have its own local language—Balinese in Bali, Javanese in Java, and so on.
So does that mean Balinese is what people actually speak in Bali?
YUKITechnically, yes—but it varies. Some Balinese people use it with each other, others don't, so as a visitor you may not hear it all that often.
Bali is also home to people who've moved there from all over the country, so Bahasa Indonesia, the national language, is what's commonly used day to day.
Why Indonesian Is Surprisingly Easy to Pick Up
Indonesian is often considered one of the easiest languages in the world to learn.
The grammar is simple and there are no verb conjugations or tenses to memorize. On top of that, it's written in the Latin alphabet and pronounced pretty much the way it's spelled—so it's easy to read and get right, even for total beginners.
YUKIFor example, 'communication' becomes 'komunikasi' in Indonesian, and 'information' becomes 'informasi.' They're close enough to English that they're easy to guess!
15 Phrases You'll Actually Use in Bali
Basic greetings to start with
| English | Indonesian | Pronunciation |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi | seh-LAH-mat PAH-gee |
| Good day / afternoon | Selamat siang Selamat sore | seh-LAH-mat see-AHNG seh-LAH-mat SO-reh |
| Good evening | Selamat malam | seh-LAH-mat MAH-lam |
YUKIHello' actually has two versions—one shifts to the other in the evening—but don't stress over getting it exactly right.！
Say it smoothly as one phrase, almost like "selamat-pagi" run together.
"Thank you"—the phrase you'll use most
| English | Indonesian | Pronunciation |
| Thank you | Terimakasih | teh-REE-mah KAH-see |
| Thank you very much | Terimakasih banyak | teh-REE-mah KAH-see BAH-nyak |
If you want to really emphasize your gratitude, add "banyak" (meaning "a lot") to the end.
YUKIAnd if someone thanks you, the reply for 'you're welcome' is 'sama-sama.
You'll find plenty of chances to say thank you—at hotels, spas, restaurants, and beyond.
Try saying "terima kasih" instead of English—it goes a long way.
Phrases by Situation
At restaurants
| English | Indonesian | Pronunciation |
| Excuse me | Permisi | per-MEE-see |
| Eating here | Makan disin | MAH-kan dee SEE-nee |
| Takeout | Bunkus | BOONG-koos |
| Check, please | Minta bill / bon Mau bayar | MIN-ta bill MOW bah-YAR |
| Delicious | Enak | EH-nak |
| I'll take this | Minta ini | MIN-ta EE-nee |
| Spicy | Pedas | peh-DAHS |
"Makan di sini?" (eating here?) is a question you'll often hear at warungs and local Indonesian restaurants.
YUKIAt nasi campur stalls with dishes displayed in a case, you just point at what you want—no words necessary.
At the spa
| English | Indonesian | Pronunciation |
| Cold Hot | Dingin Panas | DING-in PAH-nahs |
| A little stronger / softer, please | Tolong lebih keras /pulang pulang | TOH-long LEH-bee KEH-ras / PUH-lan PUH-lan |
| Good / feels great Feels amazing | Enak Enak Sekali | EH-nak EH-nak seh-KAH-lee |
If the AC in the spa room is a bit too cold, just say "dingin."
When adjusting the massage pressure, start with "tolong" (please) before your request—it's a simple, polite way to ask.
YUKIEnak' works for food too, so it's a handy one to keep in your back pocket.
Shopping
| English | Indonesian | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | Ini berapa harganya | EE-nee beh-RAH-pa har-GAH-nya |
| I'll buy it No thanks (not buying) | Mau beli Tidak mau | MOW BUH-lee TEE-dak MOW |
| Can I get a discount? Please give me a discount | Bisa Diskon Minta Diskon | BEE-sa DIS-kon MIN-ta DIS-kon |
Bargaining is common at souvenir shops and markets without price tags, but keep in mind it's not appropriate at supermarkets, boutiques, or shops where prices are clearly listed.
YUKII once tried asking 'bisa diskon?' at an electronics shop with no price tags, not expecting much—and ended up getting about $3 off. Worth a shot, honestly.
The Takeaway
What do you think?
We aimed for exactly 15 phrases, but ended up sneaking in a few extra—oops.
Try using at least one or two of these with locals during your stay.
They'll almost certainly appreciate the effort!
Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfectly.
Indonesians are known for genuinely wanting to understand and connect with the people they're talking to.
So go ahead and give it a try—you've got nothing to lose.
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Your Go-To Travel Guide
・Bali's Rupiah, Decoded: Making Sense of All Those Zeros
・Know Your Fruit Seasons—Never Miss the Best Flavor
・How to Exchange Money in Bali Without Getting Burned
YUKISee you in the next post!
