Family
Indonesian vocabulary and phrases for talking about your family
Family is very important in Indonesia, and people talk about it a lot more than they might do in the West. You will also find that distinctions are lost – brother-in-law becomes brother, your grandmother’s sister becomes your grandmother and so on.
You should also be prepared for repetitive and extensive questions about your family. Sometimes you'll be asked if you are married 15 times on a journey (and if not - why not!)
Note - You will that many of the words we have put here are also in our Pronouns and Addressing People section.
| Child | Anak |
| Children | Anak-anak |
| Grandson/ granddaughter – | Cucu laki-laki/ perempuan |
| Son | Anak laki-laki/Putra |
| Daughter | Anak perempuan/Putri |
| Mother | Ibu/mama |
| Father | Bapak/ayah |
| Uncle - note: Om especially is often used as a term of respect. | Paman/Om |
| Aunt | Bibi/Tante |
| Parents – orang-tua (lit people old) | |
| Grandfather | Kakek |
| Grandmother | Nenek |
| Niece/nephew | Keponakan |