Learn Indonesian with My Lingua Cards

Build real, usable Indonesian vocabulary with smart flashcards, clear examples, and spaced repetition – so words actually stick, not just “look familiar”.

Start learning Bahasa Indonesia for travel, work, study, or everyday conversation – one short review session at a time.

This page is designed to help with the real friction points:

Affixes that change meaning and grammar (meN-, ber-, ter-, di-, -kan, -i) Everyday spoken Indonesian (colloquial words and shortcuts you’ll hear in Jakarta and online) Particles that add tone (lah, kok, sih, dong), reduplication, and useful phrases you actually need
Why Indonesian feels “easy”… until it doesn’t

Indonesian is friendly to start – the nuance needs a plan

Indonesian pronunciation is friendly and spelling is predictable – great. The tricky part is how meaning changes with affixes and informal speech.

Affixes that change meaning and grammar

Meaning shifts with small changes. Treat affixes like upgrades you need to see in context.

  • • Affixes that change meaning and grammar (meN-, ber-, ter-, di-, -kan, -i)
  • • Particles that add tone (lah, kok, sih, dong)
  • • Reduplication (orang-orang, pelan-pelan) and what it implies in context
  • • How prefixes and suffixes change who does what

Everyday Indonesian you’ll actually hear

Vocabulary for chats, social media, and on-the-ground situations instead of textbook-only phrases.

  • • Colloquial shortcuts and fillers you’ll hear around Jakarta and online
  • • Useful phrases you actually need: ordering, directions, small talk, politeness
  • • Balancing formal vs everyday Indonesian
  • • Examples that show nuance without long grammar explanations
How My Lingua Cards helps you learn Indonesian faster

Make vocabulary usable, not just familiar

Short sessions, audio-first cards, and spaced repetition keep Indonesian words ready to use.

Audio-first flashcards

Each card is built around recognition and recall – with audio and contextual examples, so you learn Indonesian as it’s spoken.

Spaced repetition that runs your daily plan

You don’t decide what to review. The system shows words right before you forget them.

Two directions: understand it, then say it

Practice Indonesian → your language for recognition, then your language → Indonesian for active recall (the hard bit).

Ready-made sets that answer “where do I start?”

Pick a topic and go. You always have a sensible next step instead of hunting random word lists.

What you’ll be able to do (practical Indonesian)

Build a working base one review at a time

After regular practice, you’ll build a working base for everyday Indonesian.

  • • Greetings, introductions, and polite requests
  • • Food and cafés (ordering, preferences, “no chilli please” survival)
  • • Transport and directions
  • • Shopping and bargaining basics
  • • Simple work and admin phrases
  • • Common verbs + the affixes that power real sentences
A smart way to learn Indonesian (in 10 minutes a day)

A simple habit works best: do today’s reviews first, then add a few new words.

  1. Sign up and choose Indonesian as your learning language
  2. Do today’s review queue (fast, focused, no scrolling)
  3. Add a few new words only after reviews are done
  4. Keep it daily – consistency beats cramming

My Lingua Cards includes a free start period (around a month) with a starter limit on vocabulary, so you can properly test the workflow before paying.

Start free and learn consistently
Quick Indonesian mini-guide (so the flashcards make sense)

The patterns you’ll keep seeing

Use these to make each flashcard click faster.

Affixes in plain English

Instead of memorising grammar rules, treat affixes like meaning upgrades:

  • • di- often marks passive (“is done”): dibuka (is opened)
  • • meN- often marks active verbs: membuka (to open)
  • • -kan / -i often change who receives the action: bukakan, bukain (everyday nuance)

Formal vs everyday Indonesian

You’ll see “book Indonesian” and “real Indonesian”. Both matter:

  • • Formal: clearer, safer in writing and official settings
  • • Informal: what you’ll hear in chats, social media, and daily life
  • • A good learning plan includes both – in the right order.
FAQ

Common questions about learning Indonesian

What to expect when you start with My Lingua Cards.

Pronunciation and spelling are beginner-friendly. The main challenge is vocabulary volume, plus affixes and informal speech. A spaced-repetition system is ideal for that.
If you build vocabulary daily, you can handle basic travel conversation quickly. For confident speaking, you’ll need consistent active recall practice (your language → Indonesian).
No. Learn high-frequency phrases and verbs with examples, then let patterns (like di-/meN-) become familiar through repetition.
Short sessions, every day, with spaced repetition and audio. It’s boring advice because it works.

Ready to start Indonesian the practical way?

If you want Indonesian words to stick – and to be able to say them, not just recognise them – start a free account on My Lingua Cards and do your first review session today.