Language/Indonesian/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Indonesian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn Indonesian vocabulary related to drinks. Drinks are an important aspect of Indonesian culture, as they are often enjoyed during social gatherings and mealtimes. Indonesians have a variety of traditional drinks using different ingredients like coconut, fruits and herbs that have a unique taste.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Parts of the Body, Fruits, Bargaining Strategies & Dinner Table.
Common Drinks[edit | edit source]
Indonesia's tropical climate is ideal to grow fruits and vegetables, which are used to make delicious drinks. Here's a list of common drinks in Indonesia:
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Air putih | /aɪr ˈpʊ.ti/ | Water |
| Kopi | /ˈkɒ.pi/ | Coffee |
| Teh | /teh/ | Tea |
| Jus | /dʒʊs/ | Juice |
| Susu | /ˈsuː.su/ | Milk |
| Es kelapa muda | /ɛs kə.ˈla.pa ˈmu.da/ | Young coconut juice |
| Es teh | /ɛs.tɛh/ | Iced tea |
| Es jeruk | /ɛs ˈdʒɛ.ruk/ | Orange juice |
| Wedang jahe | /wɛ.daŋ ˈdʒa.hɛ/ | Ginger tea |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Apa kamu suka minum kopi? (Do you like to drink coffee?)
- Person 2: Ya, saya sangat suka minum kopi. (Yes, I really like to drink coffee.)
Traditional Drinks[edit | edit source]
Indonesia has a diverse range of traditional drinks that reflect the country's cultural and historical heritage. Here are some examples:
Jamu[edit | edit source]
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink that is believed to have medicinal properties. It uses various combinations of herbs, roots and spices, and can have a slightly bitter taste. Here are some examples:
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Jamu kunyit asam | /dʒaˈmu ˈku.njɪt ˈa.səm/ | Tamarind and turmeric herbal drink |
| Jamu beras kencur | /dʒaˈmu ˈbɛ.ras kɛn.tʃʊr/ | Rice and ginger herbal drink |
| Jamu gendong | /dʒaˈmu ˈɡɛn.dɔŋ/ | Traditional herbal tonic sold by street vendors |
Fun fact: Jamu has been a part of Indonesian traditional medicine for centuries, and some Indonesians swear by its effectiveness!
Bajigur[edit | edit source]
Bajigur is a traditional Sundanese hot drink from West Java. It is made from coconut milk, palm sugar, ginger and other spices, and is usually served hot. It has a sweet and spicy taste, and is perfect for chilly evenings.
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Apa itu bajigur? (What is bajigur?)
- Person 2: Bajigur adalah minuman panas tradisional dari Jawa Barat yang terbuat dari santan, gula merah, jahe, dan rempah-rempah lainnya. (Bajigur is a traditional hot drink from West Java, which is made from coconut milk, palm sugar, ginger and other spices.)
Wedang uwuh[edit | edit source]
Wedang uwuh is a traditional Javanese herbal drink that is popular in Central Java. It uses a blend of different herbs, roots, and spices, and has a unique aroma that comes from the pandan leaves. It can be served hot or cold, and is often enjoyed during the rainy season.
Fun fact: Wedang uwuh is believed to have originated from the royal courts of Central Java, and was served to the king and his guests!
Ordering Drinks[edit | edit source]
If you are in Indonesia and want to order a drink, here are some useful phrases:
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Saya ingin pesan... | /saˈja ˈɪ.nɪn ˈpɛ.san/ | I would like to order... |
| Tolong satu... | /ˈtɔ.lɔŋ ˈsa.tu/ | One please... |
| Ada esnya? | /a.da ˈɛs.nja/ | Do you have it iced? |
| Pakai gula atau tidak? | /pa.ˈkaɪ ˈɡu.la ˈa.taʊ ˈtidak/ | Do you want sugar in it? |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Saya ingin pesan teh manis. (I would like to order sweet tea.)
- Person 2: Dengan es atau tidak? (Iced or not?)
- Person 1: Dengan es, tolong. (With ice, please.)
Don't be afraid to practice ordering drinks with locals! It's a great way to practice your Indonesian and learn more about the country's culture.
To improve your Indonesian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Fruits
- Adverbs in Indonesian
- How to say Good Bye?
- Problems in Indonesian
- Parts of the Body
- Numbers
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Seasons
- Basic Phrases in Indonesian
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Indonesian Drink Vocabulary | Indonesian Language Blog
- drink | Indonesian translation - Cambridge Dictionary
- Ordering Drinks in Indonesian | Indonesian Language Blog