Bali’s magic isn’t just about stunning beaches or lush rice terraces. It’s also about the warm, genuine Balinese hospitality. Locals are proud of their culture and love sharing it with visitors. Knowing even a few words of Bahasa Indonesia or Balinese can totally transform your guest experience, helping you connect on a deeper level.

This quick travel language guide covers 20 everyday phrases, a mix of Bahasa Indonesia (the national language) and Balinese, which is still widely spoken in homes and ceremonies. So before you set out to explore temples or sample local delights like potato nest with quail egg, take a moment to learn these!

Essential Bahasa Indonesia Phrases

✅ Selamat pagi – Good morning

✅ Selamat siang – Good afternoon

✅ Selamat sore – Good late afternoon

✅ Selamat malam – Good evening / night

✅ Apa kabar? – How are you?

✅ Baik, terima kasih – Fine, thank you

✅ Tolong – Please (requesting help)

✅ Terima kasih – Thank you

✅ Maaf – Sorry / excuse me

✅ Berapa harganya? – How much is this?

Friendly Balinese Words & Local Etiquette

✅ Om Swastiastu – Balinese greeting, similar to “hello” (often accompanied by a prayer hand gesture)

✅ Suksma – Thank you (Balinese)

✅ Suksma mewali – You’re welcome (Balinese)

✅ Rahajeng semeng – Good morning (Balinese)

✅ Rahajeng wengi – Good night (Balinese)

✅ Matur suksma – Thank you very much (formal Balinese)

Other Handy Words

✅ Di mana…? – Where is…?

✅ Boleh saya minta…? – May I have…?

✅ Kamar kecil / toilet – Bathroom

✅ Enak sekali! – So delicious!

Will learning local phrases make my trip to Bali easier?

Even simple greetings can open doors to warm smiles, small perks, and authentic moments. Locals really appreciate it when visitors make an effort. It’s also a great way to show respect for local customs and add depth to your Bali stories when you return home.

Quick Tips on Pronunciation

• In Bahasa Indonesia, words are generally pronounced as spelled.
• The letter “c” is pronounced like “ch” in “cheese.”
• The letter “a” is always pronounced like “ah.”
• Practice saying phrases slowly at first, and watch for the genuine delight when locals hear you try.