Indonesian slang, or bahasa gaul, is a vibrant part of everyday conversation among young people in cities like Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. It’s fast-evolving, playful, and often borrows from English, regional dialects, and even social media trends. If you want to sound like a local, these are the terms you need to know.
Essential Everyday Slang
Gue
/ɡu.e/“I/me”
The informal way to say 'I' or 'me'. Often paired with 'lu' (you). Example: "Gue mau makan nih." ("I want to eat.")
Lu/Loe
/lu/“You”
The casual version of 'you'. Used among friends. Example: "Lu udah makan?" ("Have you eaten?")
Cuy
/tʃuj/“Dude/bro”
A friendly term for 'dude' or 'bro', derived from Betawi dialect. Example: "Ayo, cuy, jalan bareng!" ("Come on, dude, let’s hang out!")
Social Media & Internet Slang
Baper
[ˈba.pər]“Overly emotional”
Short for bawa perasaan, meaning 'to take things too personally'. Used when someone gets overly emotional. Example: "Jangan baper dong!" ("Don’t be so sensitive!")
Gabut
[ˈɡabʊt̪̚]“Bored”
Short for gaji buta (literally 'blind salary'), but now means 'bored with nothing to do'. Example: "Aku gabut banget hari ini." ("I’m so bored today.")
Mager
/ˈmaɡər/“Too lazy to move”
Short for malas gerak, meaning 'too lazy to move'. A staple for lazy weekends. Example: "Mager banget, pengen tidur aja." ("Too lazy, just wanna sleep.")
Trendy Expressions
Santuy
/san.tuj/“Chill/relaxed”
A playful twist on 'santai' (relaxed). Used to describe a laid-back attitude. Example: "Kerjanya santuy aja, nggak usah buru-buru." ("Just take it easy, no need to rush.")
Kuy
/ˈkuj/“Let’s go”
A reversed version of 'yuk' (let’s go). Popular in memes and casual invites. Example: "Kuy makan bakso!" ("Let’s go eat meatballs!")
Gaje
/ɡa.dʒe/“Nonsensical”
Short for gak jelas (unclear). Used when something makes no sense. Example: "Omongan lu gaje banget!" ("What you’re saying makes no sense!")
Slang changes fast. If you’re chatting with Indonesians, pay attention to context - what’s cool today might be outdated tomorrow!
Regional Variations
Jakarta’s Betawi slang (like 'cuy') differs from Bandung’s Sundanese-influenced terms or Javanese-infused slang in Yogyakarta. For example:
- In Bandung, Mang is a common term for 'bro' (from Sundanese).
- In Bali, Gus or Jro might be used as honorifics among friends.
For more on regional slang, check out our guide on The Evolution of Ukrainian Youth Language.
Slang to Use Carefully
Some slang can be rude if misused. For example:
Kampret
/kam.prɛt/“Idiot (derogatory)”
Literally 'bat', but used as an insult. Avoid unless joking with close friends.
Tai
/ta.i/“Sh*t”
A crude term. Best replaced with anjir (a milder exclamation).
When in doubt, listen first. Slang is best learned by hearing how locals use it.
