Why Numbers Matter Early in Language Learning
Numbers are among the most practical vocabulary sets you can learn in any language. In Indonesian, a good grasp of numbers lets you handle prices at markets, tell time, give your phone number, discuss dates, and navigate transport. The good news: the Indonesian number system is highly logical and once you learn the core set, you can build almost any number from those building blocks.
The Basic Numbers: 0–10
| Number | Indonesian | Pronunciation Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | nol | nol |
| 1 | satu | sah-too |
| 2 | dua | doo-ah |
| 3 | tiga | tee-gah |
| 4 | empat | em-pat |
| 5 | lima | lee-mah |
| 6 | enam | en-am |
| 7 | tujuh | too-joo |
| 8 | delapan | del-ah-pan |
| 9 | sembilan | sem-bee-lan |
| 10 | sepuluh | se-poo-loo |
Building Teens and Tens
Indonesian numbers follow a very consistent pattern once you know 1–10:
- Teens (11–19): Add belas after the unit number. Example: sebelas (11), dua belas (12), tiga belas (13)... sembilan belas (19). Note: 11 is sebelas (not satu belas).
- Tens (20, 30...): Add puluh after the tens digit. Example: dua puluh (20), tiga puluh (30), empat puluh (40).
- Compound numbers: Combine tens and units. Example: dua puluh lima (25), tiga puluh tujuh (37).
Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond
- Hundreds: Use ratus. Seratus = 100; dua ratus = 200; lima ratus = 500.
- Thousands: Use ribu. Seribu = 1,000; dua ribu = 2,000; sepuluh ribu = 10,000.
- Hundreds of thousands: Seratus ribu = 100,000 (very commonly used when discussing Indonesian Rupiah prices).
- Millions: Use juta. Satu juta = 1,000,000.
- Billions: Use miliar. Satu miliar = 1,000,000,000.
The prefix se- is used instead of satu when a number begins with one of a unit (e.g., seratus not satu ratus, seribu not satu ribu).
Ordinal Numbers
To form ordinal numbers (first, second, third...), simply add the prefix ke- to the cardinal number:
- pertama — first (irregular; does not use ke-)
- kedua — second
- ketiga — third
- keempat — fourth
- kelima — fifth
Practical Uses: Shopping and Prices
Indonesia's currency, the Rupiah (IDR), involves large numbers in everyday transactions. Prices in thousands and hundreds of thousands are routine. Here are some useful phrases:
- Berapa harganya? — How much does it cost?
- Harganya dua puluh ribu rupiah. — It costs 20,000 rupiah.
- Boleh kurang? — Can you lower the price? (bargaining phrase)
- Saya mau dua. — I want two (of them).
Telling the Time
Time in Indonesian uses jam (hour) and menit (minute). For example:
- Jam berapa sekarang? — What time is it now?
- Sekarang jam tiga. — It is now three o'clock.
- Jam delapan tiga puluh menit. — Eight thirty.
Mastering numbers is one of the highest-return investments you can make early in your Indonesian language journey. Practice them daily and you'll find conversations about time, money, dates, and quantities become instinctive very quickly.