Learning Bahasa Indonesia

7. How to say 'I'

In this lesson, you're going to learn how say "I" (or yourself) in Bahasa Indonesia, formal and informal, also the slang way. And of course, how and when to use it. So, let's get started!

A. Formal
In the formal way you can say: Saya

1. Saya --> Saya is commonly use for a formal situation, for example if you want to talk with your teacher at school, or your partner or maybe your boss at office.

BUT, sometimes some people commonly still use "saya" to talk to stranger or people they're just meet randomly in the street (especially if they're older than you). It could used when you want to ask about the time or an adress.

•example sentece:

Permisi, saya mau tanya, kamu tahu alamat ini?
(Excuse me, i want to ask, do you know this address?)

(FYI: Not everybody said "saya" and also "kamu" they're just straight say "permisi, mau tanya Pak, tahu alamat ini?" But it's okay if you want to use it for ask an address. It will be more respectful.)

B. Informal
You can say: Aku

2. Aku--> well, who is usually using "Aku" for daily are:
1. Kids to their friends
2. Children and Teens to their parents
3. People in the same age
4. People in a relationship

Most of Indonesian Teenager, (not all) are not use "Aku" to talk to their friends. It's a little bit complicated. Let me explain.

Based on my true experiences, I thought ALL teenagers in nowdays are not using the word "Aku" anymore to talk to their friends. I thought they used it just to their boy or girlfriend and their family. I amazed at how diverse the country of Indonesia was. I used to lived in Karawang. It is a city near Jakarta. But now i moved to study in Semarang. I kinda got a culture shock. My new friends in Semarang still using aku and never saying a bad words. Like never. Hey, i mean, i don't even said "Aku" with my brother. I talked to him in a slang way. I just use "Aku" to talk to my parents or adult peoples. It's kinda weird for me, but yea, i'm trying to get used with the new culture. I even have to say "saya" to my big family in Semarang. Like my aunt and uncle. I'm just WOW, for real. I just feel formal way just showing you that you're not that close with people, it's like there's a "wall" in between, i guess. But every people is different so, it's fine if you have different opinion with me.

Back again, so "Aku" is using for informal daily but still polite.

C. Slang

***IMPORTENT TO REMEMBER***
You just have to know, the slang words are couldn't be find in indonesian dictionary. Because it's a slang words.

Slang way to say "I"
1.Gua
2.Gue

Just FYI, if you find the word "Gw" or "W" it just same like "Gua or Gue" on above. It is used in the text, like "the abstraction" or the type of people in typing. As i said, who use those words basically just the teenagers to their friends. Adults are so rare using this. But if you find your Indonesian friend's parents talk with "Gue" with their children it's also not a surprise anymore. There's a millenial-slang family, but also the super-polite one, just like mine. And it's annoying honestly lmao poor me.

So yeah i really hope you understand what i mean. and understand how to say "I" in the formal and informal way and also in a very-informal (slang) way.

#The point are:
•use "Saya" for formal situation. To the teacher, partner, boss, or random people you meet in the street. It'll make you have a good and respectful impression.

•use "Aku" for daily conversations but still polite. To the people you already knew, and have a close relationship with them. Like parents, big family, friends, or maybe to your boy/girlfriend.

•use "Gua/Gue" just to your FRIENDS or people in the SAME AGE that you're ALREADY knew. Don't use it to your parents or someone older or younger than you who have gap age with you, do not ever. EXCEPT you are that "close" with them, that's fine.

Hahaha i talk alot in this chapter, sorry! See you in the next lesson. Goodluck!^^