Prepositions

Indonesian Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Indonesian like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Indonesian Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Indonesian, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Indonesian

Prepositions Indonesian Audio
In front ofdi depan
Behinddi belakang
Beforesebelum
Aftersetelah
Insidedalam
Withdengan
Withouttanpa
Outsidedi luar
On top ofdi atas/di puncak
Underbawah
About (in regards to)tentang
Againstterhadap
Anddan
As (similar to)sebagai
Betweenantara
Buttapi
Foruntuk
Fromdari
Indi
Instead ofdaripada
NearDekat
Ofdari
OrAtau
Sincesejak
Sojadi
To
Untilsampai

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Indonesian sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Indonesian Prepositions in a Sentence

English Indonesian Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Bolehkah saya berlatih bahasa italia dengan Anda?
I speak French but with an accent
I was born in MiamiSaya lahir di Miami
I'm from JapanSaya berasal dari Jepang
The letter is inside the booksurat berada di dalam buku
The pen is under the deskpena berada di bawah meja tulis
Directions
Can I help you?Bisa saya bantu?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me using the Indonesian contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Indonesian

Directions Indonesian Audio
Can you help me?Boleh minta tolong?
Can you show me?Bisa ditunjukkan?
Come with me!Ikuti saya.
Downtown (city center)Pusat kota
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Permisi.
Go straightJalan terus.
How can I get to the museum? Jalan ke musium lewat mana?
How long does it take to get there?Untuk ke sana perlu waktu berapa lama?
I'm lostSaya tersesat.
I'm not from hereSaya bukan dari sini.
It's far from hereJauh dari sini.
It's near hereDekat dari sini.
One moment please!Tunggu sebentar.
Turn leftBelok kiri.
Turn rightBelok kanan.
FarJauh
Heredi sini
Leftkiri
Rightkanan
Neardekat
Straightlurus/terus
Theredi sana
To driveke/kepada
To turnbelok
To walkberjalan/jalan kaki
Traffic lightlampu lalu lintas/lampu merah
TransportationTransportasi

Daily Conversation in Indonesian

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Indonesian. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Indonesian Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Indonesian

English Indonesian Audio
Do you speak English?Bisa berbahasa Inggris?
Just a littleSedikit saja
What's your name?Siapa namanya?
My name is (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...
Nice to meet you!Senang bertemu dengan anda
You're very kind!Anda sangat baik

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Indonesian about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Indonesian Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Indonesian homepage.