1. Terms of Address
When speaking to s.o. and want to say ‘you’ take care to choose appropriate address
Bapak for older men, teachers
Bu for older women, teachers
When speaking to children or good friends & relatives use Kamu
When speaking to people of a similar age to you or if you don’t know them well use
Anda.

2. Terms of address cont
Adik-adik (younger sibling) is a polite term of address for speaking to a younger person in an everyday situation.
Mau minum apa, adik-adik ?
What would you like to drink, kids ?

3. Nak ! (anak – child/children)
Another informal term would be ‘Nak’. This is an acceptable term for speaking to younger people (kids).
Indonesians commonly use family terms to address one another. This shows respect and means you don’t have to worry about knowing everyones’ names.

4. Mbak dan Mas These terms come from the Javanese language MBAK used for young women who arent old enough to be called Bu. A bit like ‘sister’. Good for addressing shop assistants etc. MAS used for young men who havent made it to Pak status. A bit like calling s.o. ‘brother’ or ‘mate’.

5. Abang or (bang) – elder brother
Used respectfully but informally to men who work in certain low status, unskilled occupations e.g. abang becak.
“Bang ! Bang! Becaknya dipakai, ndak?”
Mate ! Mate! Is your becak free ?

6. Saya I for general use Gue I slang, only ever aku I used with close
friends
Gue I slang, only ever
used informally

7. Anda You general use, esp.when
Kamu You commonly used
among friends
Anda You general use, esp.when
you don’t know them
Kalian you plural for groups
Engkau informal you, rarely used
Saudara you very formal
Lu you slang use only

8. Formal & everyday language
Bahasa Remaja or Prokem – slang is used amongst young people in informal & relaxed situations.
In all formal situations standard Indonesian must be used.
In Indonesia how close you are to a person determines what pronouns you use. English generally uses you and I. These can be used in any situation.

9. Saya distant & formal
Aku close & formal
Gue close & slang

10. Anda Neutral – used in advertising
You
Kamu close & informal
Anda Neutral – used in advertising
Saudara distant & very formal
Bapak/ibu very polite
Name polite
Engkau close & informal (rarely used)
Lu close & slang

11. Choosing which form to use depends on your relationship with the person you are addressing.
For example, if speaking to a close friend, you would probably use ‘aku’ & ‘kamu’
If you were a young child talking to an older woman ‘saya’ & ‘ibu’ or ‘bu’ would be appropriate.
When young people talk amongst themselves formal or polite terms are rarely used.