The Indonesian Alphabet: Easy and Fun for Kids to Learn

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is one of the easiest languages in the world to read and write. Why? Because the letters are almost always spelled just like they sound! That means if you can say a word, you can usually spell it too. Let’s take a closer look at the Indonesian alphabet and how it works.

Indonesian Uses the Roman Alphabet

The Indonesian language uses the same 26 letters as English. This alphabet is called the Roman script. Each letter has its own name and sound, and most of the time, the pronunciation is simple and consistent.

Here are a few fun examples:

• A a is pronounced like “a” in father
• C c is like “ch” in check
• G g is always like “g” in game (never like giant)
• U u sounds like “oo” in foot
• E e has three different sounds: like camel, bed, or grey

Even though some letters sound different from English, Indonesian spelling is very logical once you get the hang of it!

What About Jawi Script?

In some parts of Indonesia, especially where Malay communities live (like Sumatra or Riau Islands), you might also see Jawi script. Jawi is a writing system that comes from Arabic script, but it has special letters added to represent Indonesian sounds like “ng” or “ny”.

Even though most Indonesian writing today uses the Roman alphabet, Jawi script is still used in special regions and in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, and southern Thailand.

A Small Change Made a Big Difference

In 1972, Indonesia introduced a simpler way of spelling called the Perfected Spelling System. This helped make reading and writing even easier for students and learners around the country. Since then, the alphabet and spelling rules have stayed mostly the same, making Bahasa Indonesia one of the most beginner-friendly languages out there!

Why Indonesian Is a Great Language for Kids

Because the sounds and spelling match so closely, Indonesian is a wonderful language for children to learn. It helps kids build confidence in reading and writing from an early age. Once they learn the alphabet and basic sounds, they can start reading real words and phrases very quickly.

Learn Indonesian the Fun Way with Dinolingo

If your child is curious about new languages, Indonesian is a great place to start! With Dinolingo, kids ages 2 to 14 can learn Bahasa Indonesia through fun activities like songs, games, videos, and worksheets. Whether they’re just learning letters or practicing full sentences, Dinolingo makes language learning exciting and rewarding. The platform works on web, iOS, and Android, and comes with a parent dashboard, offline access, and motivating reward systems.

Discover Dinolingo and explore how your child can start reading and writing in Indonesian today!

Final Thoughts

The Indonesian alphabet is simple, clear, and fun to learn. With regular practice, kids can quickly master the letters and sounds of Bahasa Indonesia—and even explore the beautiful Jawi script if they’re feeling adventurous. Learning a new alphabet is a great step toward discovering a new world of stories, songs, and culture.