Learning path
Casual Indonesian Verbs
Indonesian verbs get shorter, softer, and more flexible in casual speech. This path groups the recurring patterns so each new word teaches you the next one faster.
Pattern guide
The 20 Most Common Formal Indonesian Words You're Using Wrong in Daily Conversation
The core pattern
Start with the big idea: formal verbs often lose prefixes or switch to a common spoken root.
The 20 Most Common Formal Indonesian Words You're Using Wrong in Daily Conversation
A cheat sheet of formal Indonesian words that make you sound like a textbook. Here's what real Indonesians say instead.
The -kan to -in Suffix Swap in Casual Indonesian (Bikinin, Ambilin, Beliin)
In casual Indonesian, the formal -kan suffix becomes -in. Learn how bikinin, ambilin, beliin, and cariin work with real examples you'll actually hear.
How to Say 'Menggunakan' in Casual Indonesian (Just Say 'Pake')
Drop the meng- prefix and sound way more natural. Menggunakan becomes pake in everyday Indonesian conversation.
Daily actions
The verbs you need for reading, writing, making, buying, opening, asking, and giving.
How to Say 'Membaca' in Casual Indonesian (Baca)
Membaca is the formal way to say 'to read' in Indonesian. In everyday speech, everyone just says baca. Here's how it works.
How to Say 'Menulis' in Casual Indonesian (Nulis)
Menulis is the textbook word for 'to write' in Indonesian. In real life, people say nulis. Learn the pattern, common phrases, and related casual verbs.
How to Say 'Membuat' in Casual Indonesian (Bikin)
Membuat is the textbook word for 'to make' in Indonesian.. but nobody actually talks like that. Learn bikin and its surprisingly versatile patterns.
How to Say 'Membeli' in Casual Indonesian (Beli)
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'to buy' in everyday conversation. Spoiler: nobody says membeli.
How to Say Membuka in Casual Indonesian: Just Say Buka
Membuka is textbook Indonesian. Real people say buka. Learn how this one word covers opening doors, unlocking phones, breaking fast during Ramadan, and more.
How to Say 'Meminta' in Casual Indonesian (Minta)
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'to ask for' in everyday conversation. Hint: nobody says meminta.
How to Say 'Memberikan' in Casual Indonesian (Kasih, Ngasih)
Memberikan is the formal way to say 'to give' in Indonesian.. but in real life, everyone just says kasih or ngasih. Here's how they actually work.
Conversation verbs
The verbs behind saying, speaking, hearing, understanding, teaching, and knowing.
How to Say 'Mengatakan' in Casual Indonesian (Bilang, Ngomong)
Mengatakan is the formal Indonesian word for 'to say' or 'to tell.' In real life, everyone just says bilang. Here's how it works and why you'll use it 20 times a day.
How to Say 'Berbicara' in Casual Indonesian (Ngomong, Ngobrol, Bicara)
Berbicara is the formal Indonesian word for 'to speak.' But nobody talks like that. Learn ngomong, ngobrol, and bicara — the words Indonesians actually use.
How to Say 'Mendengar' in Casual Indonesian (Denger)
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'to hear' in everyday conversation. Spoiler: it's not mendengar.
How to Say 'Mengerti' in Casual Indonesian (Ngerti)
Mengerti is textbook. Ngerti is what Indonesians actually say when they mean 'to understand.' Learn the casual forms, common phrases, and how paham fits in.
How to Say Mengajar in Casual Indonesian (Hint: It's Ngajar)
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'teach' in everyday conversation. Mengajar becomes ngajar, plus all the casual education vocab you need — from les privat to bimbel culture.
How to Say 'Mengetahui' in Casual Indonesian (Tau / Tahu)
Nobody actually says mengetahui in real life. Learn how Indonesians really say 'to know' with tau, plus common phrases like tau gak, gak tau, and kasih tau.
Movement and transactions
Casual verbs for taking, sending, receiving, selling, walking, working, and inviting.
How to Say 'Mengambil' in Casual Indonesian (Ambil, Ngambil)
Learn how Indonesians really say 'to take' or 'to pick up' in everyday speech. Two casual forms, both useful.
How to Say 'Mengirim' in Casual Indonesian (Kirim, Ngirim)
Mengirim is the textbook word for 'to send' in Indonesian.. but nobody actually says it. Here's how kirim and ngirim work in real life.
How to Say Menerima in Casual Indonesian: Terima, Nerima, and Why Online Shopping Made It Essential
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'menerima' in everyday conversation. Hint: nobody says menerima. It's terima or nerima — and thanks to Shopee and Tokopedia, you'll hear it everywhere.
How to Say Menjual in Casual Indonesian: Jual, Jualan, and the Art of Selling Everything
Learn how Indonesians actually say 'menjual' in everyday conversation. Spoiler: nobody says menjual. It's jual, jualan, dijual — and it's everywhere.
How to Say Berjalan in Casual Indonesian (Hint: Just Say Jalan)
Berjalan is the textbook word for 'walk' in Indonesian. Nobody says it. Learn how Indonesians actually use 'jalan' — from jalan-jalan to jalan kaki to 'jalan yuk!' — and why this one word unlocks a huge chunk of daily conversation.
How to Say 'Bekerja' in Casual Indonesian (Kerja vs Ngantor)
Your textbook taught you bekerja. Nobody actually says that. Here's what Indonesians really say when they talk about work.
How to Say Mengajak in Casual Indonesian (Ngajak, Ajak & the Magic of Yuk)
Mengajak is the textbook word for 'to invite' in Indonesian. But nobody actually says it. Learn how Indonesians really invite people using ngajak, ajak, and the all-powerful yuk.