Learn Indonesian in a Week: Your Practical Guide

Day 3: Transport & Directions

Welcome to Day 3! Today we’re going to talk about a skill you will literally use every hour: How to get around in Indonesia? Whether you’re in Jakarta—a mega-city where the metropolitan area nears 30 million people—or on the tropical islands of Bali, you’ll need to talk to taxi drivers or use ride-hailing apps.

The Secret to Survival: Motorbikes & “Gojek”

Indonesia is a massive nation approaching 300 million people, and traffic in major cities can be intense. Let me show you the magic solution: Motorbikes. They are the fastest and best way to weave through gridlock. The Gojek and Grab apps are your best friends; you can order a bike (Ojek) or a car with one tap. These two apps are competitors, both offering transport, food delivery, and digital payments in one platform—available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. You’ll definitely need one of them.

Taxi & App Phrases (These will save you)

Cultural Tip: Right and Left in the Archipelago

Always remember that driving in Indonesia is on the left side of the road (like the UK). When giving directions, use your right hand to point; avoid using your left hand as it is culturally considered impolite. The gracious Indonesian people will also appreciate you using the word “Pak” (short for father) for male drivers as a sign of respect, meaning “Sir.”

Where is…? (Locating Places)

If you find yourself lost among the thousands of islands or in city alleys, use this simple question format:

• Dimana…? (Dee-ma-na…?) = Where is…?
• Dimana toilet? (Dee-ma-na toilet?) = Where is the restroom?
• Dimana hotel saya? (Dee-ma-na hotel sa-ya?) = Where is my hotel?

Exercise: Express Yourself

You are on an “Ojek” (motorbike) and want to tell the driver to turn right and stop at the cafe. What would you say?

(Answer: Pak, belok kanan dan berhenti di sini. Try practicing this aloud!)

Listen to Direction Pronunciation

What’s Coming Next?

After all that wandering, you must be hungry! In the next article, we’ll dive into the world of Food, Coffee, and Dining, and learn how to order “Nasi Goreng” like a local pro.

Day 3 Vocabulary Table:

Note:

This series is designed as a one-week timeline. It’s best to dedicate one day to each article. You can always review previous lessons if you have extra time.

— Learn Indonesian in a Week Series —

Previous Article: 2 – Greetings & Self-Introduction

Current Article: 3 – Transport & Directions

Next Article: 4 – Food & Dining