Time and days in Indonesian
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. Play the ten Indonesian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Indonesian phrases in this lesson
- Sekarangseh-kah-RAHNG
- Now
- NantiNAHN-tee
- Later
- Hari iniHAH-ree EE-nee
- Today
- BesokBEH-sok
- Tomorrow
- Nanti malamNAHN-tee MAH-lahm
- Tonight
- Kapan?KAH-pahn
- When?
- Jam berapa buka?jahm beh-RAH-pah BOO-kah
- What time does it open?
- Sebentar, yaseh-BEN-tar, yah
- One moment, please
- MenitMEH-nit
- Minutes
- Jamjahm
- Hours
Now, at this moment. Sekarang ini (right now, this moment) is slightly emphatic. Indonesian time is flexible; sekarang does not guarantee immediacy.
Later, soon. Nanti malam (later this evening), nanti lagi (later again). Vague enough for Indonesian culture, specific enough to work.
Hari means day, ini means this. Very clear: hari ini (this day). Hari kemarin (yesterday), hari esok (tomorrow), following the same pattern.
The single word for tomorrow, common and quick. "Esok hari" is the formal version. Besok pagi (tomorrow morning) specifies the time.
Literally "a moment, okay". It can stretch.
Also means clock and o'clock.