From Bali’s Soft Words to Jakarta’s Slang—Let’s Compare!
Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands—and that means many ways of speaking! Kids in Bali may use softer, traditional words, while kids in Jakarta use fast, modern slang.
Sweet and Polite: Balinese-Inspired Speech
In Bali, kindness and respect shine in the language. Common phrases include:
- Om Swastiastu = A traditional Balinese greeting
- Terima kasih banyak = Thank you very much
- Maaf = Sorry/excuse meThe tone is often gentle and formal, especially when speaking to adults.
Fast and Fun: Jakarta Slang
In Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, kids often speak fast and mix in playful slang:
- Gue = Me/I (informal)
- Lo = You (informal)
- Asik! = Cool!
- Nongkrong = Hanging outThese words come from the streets and schools of Jakarta and change quickly.
Activities to Compare Styles
Act It Out!
Create two mini-skits: one in “Bali style” and one in “Jakarta style.” Let kids act out the differences with the right phrases and tone.
Slang Sort
Make flashcards with words and have kids sort them into “Bali” or “Jakarta” language bins.
Dinolingo introduces kids to both formal and everyday Indonesian with colorful videos and interactive stories. While most lessons teach standard Bahasa Indonesia, kids are also exposed to cultural differences across regions.
With options for pre-readers to teens (ages 2–14), Dinolingo keeps learning respectful, fun, and full of discovery—on web, iOS, and Android.
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