Rizqi S. Mr.BOB Kampung Inggris – When you first start learning Bahasa Indonesia, one of the first words you’ll probably learn is “Halo” — the Indonesian version of “Hello”. But here’s the thing: while it’s correct, most Indonesians don’t actually use “Halo” that often in real life. Wait, really? Yes!
If you walk around Indonesia and listen carefully, you’ll hear a bunch of other greetings — words, tones, and phrases that sound nothing like “Halo”. Indonesians have tons of natural, friendly, and sometimes funny ways to say hello depending on who they’re talking to, where they are, and what time it is.
So, if you want to sound like a real local (and not like a textbook robot), this guide is for you. Let’s dive into how Indonesians say hello in real life, with real examples and explanations you can actually use in daily conversation.
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“Halo” — The Classic Textbook Greeting
Let’s start with the obvious one: “Halo.” Yes, Indonesians do use it sometimes — especially on the phone or in formal situations. It’s pronounced the same way as in English, though some people say it with a slightly softer “a”, like “hah-lo.”
Examples:
- “Halo, selamat pagi!” (Hello, good morning!)
- “Halo, ini siapa?” (Hello, who is this?) — common on the phone.
- “Halo, teman-teman!” (Hello, friends!)
But here’s the truth: in daily life, “Halo” sounds a bit too formal or scripted. Indonesians usually go for something more natural and warm — expressions that feel friendly and fit the vibe of the conversation.
The Real Indonesian Way to Say Hello
If you want to say hello in real life like an Indonesian, you have to go beyond “Halo.” Indonesians greet people in different ways depending on the situation, the relationship, and the time of day.
Here are the most common greetings:
| Greeting | When to Use | Meaning / Context |
| Selamat pagi | Morning (6 a.m. – 11 a.m.) | Good morning |
| Selamat siang | Noon to early afternoon (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) | Good day |
| Selamat sore | Late afternoon (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.) | Good afternoon |
| Selamat malam | Evening (after 6 p.m.) | Good evening / Good night |
| Apa kabar? | Any time | How are you? |
| Hei / Hai | Any casual time | Hey / Hi |
| Assalamu’alaikum | Among Muslims | Peace be upon you |
| Apa lo / Gimana lo? | Among close friends (slang) | What’s up / How are you |
Now let’s look deeper at how each of these is used in real life.
Time-Based Greetings: “Selamat…” Series
The word “Selamat” means “safe”, but when used in greetings it’s closer to “good” in English (like “good morning”). It’s polite and common in daily life, especially when meeting people for the first time or in professional settings.
a. Selamat Pagi — Good Morning
Used from sunrise until about 11 a.m.
Examples:
- “Selamat pagi, Pak.” (Good morning, Sir.)
- “Selamat pagi semuanya.” (Good morning, everyone.)
- “Selamat pagi, sudah sarapan belum?” (Good morning, have you had breakfast?)
Culturally, Indonesians often add small talk after saying hello — asking about breakfast or sleep is totally normal.
Example of real-life conversation:
A: Selamat pagi, Bu. Lagi mau ke mana?
B: Pagi! Mau ke pasar, nih.
Translation:
A: Good morning, Ma’am. Where are you going?
B: Morning! Going to the market.
b. Selamat Siang — Good Day
Used around lunchtime until mid-afternoon.
Examples:
- “Selamat siang, Pak.”
- “Selamat siang, Mbak. Mau pesan apa?”
- “Siang, sudah makan?”
Fun fact: Indonesians often drop “Selamat” and just say “Siang” for a more casual feel.
Example:
A: Siang, Kak!
B: Siang juga!
c. Selamat Sore — Good Afternoon
Used around 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Examples:
- “Selamat sore, teman-teman!”
- “Sore, Pak! Baru pulang kerja ya?”
- “Sore juga, Mbak.”
This one feels friendly and polite, perfect for everyday situations, from greeting your neighbors to entering a shop.
d. Selamat Malam — Good Evening / Good Night
Used after sunset. You can use it both when meeting and when saying goodbye.
Examples:
- “Selamat malam, Bu.” (Good evening, Ma’am.)
- “Malam, udah makan malam belum?” (Evening, have you had dinner yet?)
- “Selamat malam, sampai besok.” (Good night, see you tomorrow.)
Like before, many Indonesians just say “Malam” for a relaxed tone.
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“Apa Kabar?” — The Friendly “How Are You?”
One of the most popular ways Indonesians say hello is actually by asking “Apa kabar?”, which literally means “What’s the news?” or “How are you?”
It’s friendly, warm, and can be used anytime.
Examples:
- “Apa kabar, teman?” (How are you, friend?)
- “Lama nggak ketemu, apa kabar?” (Long time no see, how are you?)
Typical responses:
- “Baik.” (I’m fine.)
- “Baik-baik aja.” (Just fine.)
- “Alhamdulillah, baik.” (Thanks to God, I’m good.)
Example dialogue:
A: Apa kabar, Rina?
B: Baik, kamu gimana?
A: Sama, baik juga.
Translation:
A: How are you, Rina?
B: Fine, how about you?
A: Same, I’m fine too.
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Casual Greetings: “Hei”, “Hai”, “Bro”, and “Cuy”
In real life, Indonesians are super casual, especially among friends. So instead of saying “Selamat pagi”, they might just say:
- “Hei!” (Hey!)
- “Hai!” (Hi!)
- “Bro!” / “Sis!” / “Cuy!” (Hey dude / hey girl / yo bro)
Example:
A: Hei, bro! Lama nggak ketemu!
B: Hai! Iya nih, udah lama banget.
Translation:
A: Hey, bro! Long time no see!
B: Hi! Yeah, it’s been a while.
These kinds of greetings are informal and used between people who already know each other. If you use them with strangers, it might sound too bold.
Regional Greetings
Indonesia is huge — more than 17,000 islands and hundreds of languages. So of course, “hello” sounds different depending on where you are.
Here are some examples from across the archipelago:
| Region | Greeting | Meaning |
| Java | “Nggih, sugeng enjang” | Good morning (Javanese) |
| Bali | “Om Swastiastu” | Peaceful greetings (Balinese Hindu) |
| Sumatra | “Horas!” | Hello / Cheers (Batak) |
| Papua | “Wa wa!” | Friendly shout for hello |
| Sulawesi | “Apa kabar, bro?” | Very casual hello (urban slang) |
These greetings reflect local culture and religion. For example, Balinese people often say “Om Swastiastu” as a polite, spiritual hello.
Islamic Greeting: “Assalamu’alaikum”
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, so it’s very common to hear “Assalamu’alaikum” as a way to say hello. It means “Peace be upon you.” The reply is “Wa’alaikumussalam”, meaning “And peace be upon you too.”
You’ll hear it everywhere — at home, in offices, on the street, even before phone calls or meetings.
Example:
A: Assalamu’alaikum, Pak!
B: Wa’alaikumussalam, silakan masuk.
Translation:
A: Peace be upon you, Sir!
B: And peace be upon you too, please come in.
This greeting carries warmth, respect, and community — values that deeply define Indonesian culture.
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Body Language When Saying Hello
Indonesians don’t just say hello with words, they also express it with gestures.
Here are common nonverbal ways to greet:
- Smile: Almost mandatory. A smile makes any greeting warmer.
- Nod or bow slightly: Shows respect, especially to elders.
- Handshake: Often soft and brief, sometimes followed by touching the chest (a sign of sincerity).
- Salim: Younger people might take an elder’s hand and touch it to their forehead — a traditional gesture of respect.
Example situation, when a student meets a teacher, they might say: “Selamat pagi, Pak,” while shaking hands and touching the teacher’s hand to their forehead. This small act says a lot about Indonesian respect culture.
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Saying Hello on the Phone or Online
In Indonesia, how people say hello changes depending on the medium.
a. On the Phone
The standard is still “Halo”, like in English.
Example:
- “Halo, selamat pagi. Dengan siapa, ya?” (Hello, good morning. Who’s speaking?)
- “Halo, ini Andi dari kantor.” (Hello, this is Andi from the office.)
b. On Social Media or Chat
Online, people often use shorter or slang versions.
Common ones include:
- “Hai”
- “Hey”
- “Halo halo” (playful tone)
- “Woi” (super casual, among close friends only)
Example:
- “Hai, kamu lagi apa?” (Hi, what are you doing?)
- “Woi, lama nggak nongol!” (Yo, long time no see!)
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The Unspoken Rule: Context Matters
Here’s something important: in Indonesia, how you say hello depends on who you’re talking to.
Let’s see the difference:
| Situation | What to Say | Notes |
| Meeting your boss | Selamat pagi, Pak | Formal and polite |
| Talking to a friend | Hai, bro! / Apa kabar? | Casual |
| Meeting someone older | Selamat siang, Bu | Respectful |
| Greeting your classmate | Hei, gimana kabar? | Relaxed |
| Entering a shop | Siang, Mbak | Friendly |
| Meeting a religious leader | Assalamu’alaikum | Respectful and cultural |
Understanding the context helps you avoid awkward situations. For instance, saying “Woi!” to your teacher might sound rude, while “Selamat pagi, Pak” sounds perfect.
Common Greeting Combos
Indonesians love combining greetings with questions or comments. It’s part of the warmth of daily conversation.
Here are some common patterns:
- “Pagi! Udah sarapan?” (Morning! Have you had breakfast?)
- “Hai, lama nggak ketemu!” (Hi, long time no see!)
- “Assalamu’alaikum, lagi sibuk ya?” (Peace be upon you, are you busy?)
- “Sore, jalan-jalan, nih?” (Afternoon, out for a walk?)
These combos make conversations feel natural, not robotic.
How Indonesians Say Hello Without Words
Sometimes, Indonesians say hello without saying anything at all.
They might:
- Wave their hand.
- Nod with a smile.
- Raise their eyebrows slightly (especially in small towns, yes this means “hi”).
- Honk their motorcycle softly when passing a friend.
It’s all part of the casual, friendly culture. Indonesians often communicate friendliness through gestures more than words.
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make When Saying Hello
When foreigners try to greet Indonesians, they often make small but noticeable mistakes.
Here are some examples and how to fix them.
a. Saying “Halo” to everyone, all the time
It’s okay, but sounds robotic. Mix it up with “Hai”, “Pagi”, or “Apa kabar?” to sound more natural.
b. Using the wrong time greeting
Don’t say “Selamat pagi” at 3 p.m. It feels strange.
Remember:
- Pagi = morning
- Siang = noon
- Sore = afternoon
- Malam = evening/night
c. Forgetting to smile
A serious “Selamat pagi” without a smile sounds cold. Indonesians value friendliness — your smile is part of your greeting!
d. Using slang with strangers
Words like “Bro”, “Cuy”, or “Woi” should only be used with friends, not teachers, elders, or people you don’t know.
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How to Sound Natural When Saying Hello
Want to sound like a local when you say hello in real life? Follow these simple tips:
- Adjust your tone. Indonesians speak softly and warmly.
- Smile. Always. It’s universal here.
- Add small talk. A short “Udah makan?” or “Mau ke mana?” makes it natural.
- Use nicknames or titles. Say “Pak”, “Bu”, “Kak”, or “Mas” to sound polite and connected.
- Match the vibe. In formal places, go polite. In casual ones, go relaxed.
Example:
- In a café: “Hai, Kak! Boleh pesan kopi?”
- In the office: “Selamat pagi, Pak. Apa kabar hari ini?”
- To your friend: “Woi! Lama banget nggak nongkrong!”
The Indonesian Spirit Behind “Hello”
Here’s something deeper: in Indonesia, saying hello is not just about words. It’s about showing warmth, respect, and connection.
When Indonesians greet each other, they’re not only acknowledging presence — they’re saying, “I see you, I respect you, and I care.”
That’s why greetings are often followed by questions about family, health, or meals. It’s not small talk — it’s a cultural way of maintaining relationships.
So, when you say hello to an Indonesian, don’t just focus on grammar or pronunciation. Focus on the feeling.
Practice Conversations
Let’s look at a few sample dialogues you can practice.
Dialogue 1 — At the Market
A: Pagi, Bu!
B: Pagi juga! Mau beli apa?
A: Pisangnya berapa, Bu?
B: Lima ribu satu sisir.
Dialogue 2 — Meeting a Friend
A: Hei, bro! Lama nggak ketemu!
B: Iya nih, sibuk banget kerjaan.
A: Wah, semangat terus, ya!
Dialogue 3 — In the Office
A: Selamat siang, Pak Andi.
B: Siang, Rina. Gimana kabar?
A: Baik, Pak. Siap kerja lagi hari ini.
Learn to Say Hello Naturally
If you really want to say hello in real life like Indonesians do. Naturally, confidently, and in the right context, the best way is to practice with real conversations.
We don’t just teach vocabulary. We teach real communication, how to sound friendly, how to respond naturally, and how to connect with people in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
In every session, you’ll practice daily situations like greeting someone, starting a conversation, or making small talk. Because at the end of the day, language is about connection, not memorization.
Final Thoughts
So now you know, Indonesians don’t just say “Halo.” In real life, greetings are full of warmth and variety: “Selamat pagi,” “Hai,” “Apa kabar,” “Assalamu’alaikum,” even a simple smile or eyebrow raise can mean hello.
Learning how Indonesians say hello helps you understand not just the language, but the people friendly, respectful, and full of heart.
So next time you meet an Indonesian, try it. Smile, say “Pagi!” or “Apa kabar?”, and watch how the conversation opens up naturally.
Follow us on on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube and discover fun, real-life English phrases every week! We’re Mr.BOB Kampung Inggris, an English course from Indonesia that loves sharing language and culture with the world. Follow us now and send us a message! We’d love to hear from you.
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