Pronunciation
Indonesian is a much more phonetic language than English. This means than the vocabulary is produced pretty much as it is written. Once you've got the hang of the alphabet, it's quite easy to pronounce new words. However, the alphabet is pronounced distinctly different from the English alphabet.
Note: the letters q, v, x and z are usually only used in words borrowed from English.
A Apa (what)  |
N Nenek (grandmother) |
| B Baju (shirt) |
O Ombak (wave) |
| C Cinta (love)
Pronounced ch as in Charlie |
P Pipi (cheek) |
| D Dada (chest) |
Q (al) Quran |
| E Enak (tasty)
Usually pronounced A as in ate |
R Ramai (busy/noisy) |
| F Final (the
end) |
S Sate |
| G Gugup (nervous) |
T Timur (East) |
| H Hati
(liver - but often used for heart) |
U Untuk (for) |
| I Ibu (mother) |
V Vas (vase) |
| J Juga (also) |
W Waktu (time) |
| K Kakak
(older brother/sister) |
X Xray (x-ray) Normally, as x is not an original Indonesian sound, it is pronouced
as eks |
| L Lari (run) |
Y Yakin (sure) |
| M Mana (where) |
Z Zebra (zebra) |