Indonesian is deceptively simple for casual conversations, but professional settings demand precision. You wouldn’t greet a potential investor with the same enthusiasm as a street vendor, would you? Of course not. Here’s how to navigate formal interactions without sounding like you’ve just stepped off a Bali-bound flight with a phrasebook from 1992.
Greetings and Introductions (Beyond 'Apa Kabar?')
The standard 'Apa kabar?' is fine, but unimaginative. In professional contexts, you’ll want to layer in formality and a touch of deference, especially when addressing senior colleagues or clients.
- Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam – Time-specific greetings (morning/afternoon/evening/night). More polished than a generic 'hello.'
- Senang bertemu dengan Anda – 'Pleased to meet you.' Essential for first impressions.
- Nama saya [Your Name], dari [Your Company] – A crisp introduction. No one cares about your holiday in Yogyakarta here.
Anda
/ˈanda/“You (formal)”
Meetings: From Agendas to Action Points
Indonesian business culture values indirectness, but time is money. These phrases help you steer conversations without bulldozing local norms.
| Phrase | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Mari kita mulai rapat ini | ‘Let’s begin the meeting.’ A polite but firm opener. |
| Apa pendapat Anda tentang…? | ‘What’s your opinion on…?’ Encourages input without putting anyone on the spot. |
| Kami akan follow up via email | ‘We’ll follow up via email.’ Because no decision is final without a paper trail. |
Negotiations: The Art of Polite Persistence
Indonesian negotiations are a dance, not a duel. These phrases keep the rhythm going without stepping on toes.
- Bisakah kita diskusikan harga lagi? – ‘Can we discuss the price again?’ Softer than demanding a discount.
- Ini di luar budget kami – ‘This is beyond our budget.’ A diplomatic way to say ‘too expensive.’
- Mungkin ada kompromi? – ‘Perhaps there’s a compromise?’ The golden phrase for deadlocks.
For more on navigating professional conversations in other languages, see our guides on Business Persian or Professional Thai.
Email Sign-Offs That Don’t Sound Robotic
‘Best regards’ is safe, but boring. These alternatives add a local touch:
- Hormat saya – ‘Respectfully yours.’ The gold standard for formal emails.
- Salam sukses – ‘Success to you.’ For when you want to sound motivational.
- Terima kasih atas kerja samanya – ‘Thank you for the collaboration.’ For closing a deal.
When All Else Fails: The Polite Exit
Sometimes, you need to bow out gracefully. These phrases save face:
Mohon maaf
/ˈmohon ˈmaʔaf/“Please excuse me”
Other useful exits:
- Saya ada janji lain – ‘I have another appointment.’ The classic escape hatch.
- Mari kita lanjutkan lain waktu – ‘Let’s continue another time.’ For endless discussions.
Now, go forth and negotiate that merger - or at least stop embarrassing yourself in front of Jakarta’s corporate elite. For more survival phrases, check out our guide to Indonesian public transport (because even executives take the TransJakarta bus sometimes).
