Animals

1. Anjing

   Dog

   Usage

   Stray dogs are common in Bali. "Digigit anjing" means "bitten by a dog" — rabies exists, so always see a doctor

2. Kucing

   Cat

   Usage

   Common around markets and mosques — an easy conversation starter

3. Burung

   Bird

   Usage

   Birds in general. The "pasar burung" (bird market) is a fixture of Javanese cities

4. Ikan

   Fish

   Usage

   Works for ordering food and for talking about snorkelling. "Ikan bakar" is grilled fish

5. Kuda

   Horse

   Usage

   Comes up with the Yogyakarta horse carts ("andong") and horse riding on Lombok

6. Sapi

   Cow

   Usage

   Beef is "daging sapi". Malaysian Malay uses "lembu" instead — not the same word

7. Kerbau

   Water buffalo

   Usage

   A constant sight in rice country, and central to Toraja and Minangkabau culture in Sumatra

8. Babi

   Pig

   Usage

   Handle with care in Muslim-majority areas. Its main use is checking ingredients ("tidak ada babi?"). In Bali, "babi guling" is a signature dish

9. Ayam

   Chicken

   Usage

   Constantly useful — for ordering as much as for talking about animals. "Ayam goreng" is fried chicken

10. Bebek

    Duck

    Usage

    "Bebek goreng" is an East Javanese speciality. Malaysian Malay says "itik" instead

11. Kambing

    Goat

    Usage

    Used to check what is in "sate kambing". It is easily confused with mutton, so ask if you would rather avoid it

12. Domba

    Sheep

    Usage

    Farmed in West Java. Malaysian Malay uses "biri-biri"

13. Gajah

    Elephant

    Usage

    The Sumatran elephant is "gajah Sumatera" — the word comes up around conservation parks

14. Monyet

    Monkey

    Usage

    At Ubud's Monkey Forest and Uluwatu they snatch sunglasses, hats and phones — never show food. Do not aim the word at a person; it is an insult

15. Orangutan

    Usage

    Found only in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The name is literally "orang" (person) + "hutan" (forest)

16. Harimau

    Tiger

    Usage

    The critically endangered Sumatran tiger — the word comes up at zoos and reserves

17. Ular

    Snake

    Usage

    "Digigit ular" means "bitten by a snake" — an emergency phrase. You do meet them on rural paths and rice terraces

18. Buaya

    Crocodile

    Usage

    A real hazard in Kalimantan and Papua rivers. It also gives Surabaya half its name ("sura" + "buaya")

19. Komodo

    Komodo dragon

    Usage

    The world's largest lizard, found only on Komodo and Rinca. Always follow the ranger's instructions on a tour

20. Biawak

    Monitor lizard

    Usage

    Large lizards you often see by rivers and mangroves. They avoid people, but keep your distance anyway

21. Kura-kura

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Turtles in general; the sea turtle has its own word, "penyu"

22. Penyu

    Sea turtle

    Usage

    Used when diving or visiting the turtle hatcheries on Bali and Lombok

23. Katak

    Frog

    Usage

    "Kodok" is just as common in speech. Chinese-Indonesian restaurants do serve frog

24. Cicak

    House gecko

    Usage

    The little gecko on your guesthouse wall. Harmless, and it eats the insects — no need to chase it out

25. Tokek

    Tokay gecko

    Usage

    The big gecko that shouts "to-kay" at night — named after its own call. Use the word to explain what kept you awake

26. Tikus

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    For reporting a hygiene problem at your lodging. One word covers rats and mice alike

27. Kelinci

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen at highland petting zoos. Malaysian Malay uses a completely different word, "arnab"

28. Kelelawar

    Bat

    Usage

    Used on cave visits such as Bali's Goa Lawah. Malaysian Malay spells it shorter: "kelawar"

29. Nyamuk

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The one you will use most. "Ada nyamuk" means "there are mosquitoes". Dengue is present, so repellent ("obat nyamuk") is essential

30. Kecoa

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Show it to raise a hygiene problem — no need to argue, the screen says it. Malaysian Malay uses "lipas"

31. Semut

    Ant

    Usage

    They find any snack left in the room. Use it to report ants around your bed

32. Lebah

    Bee

    Usage

    Used to report a sting. "Madu" is honey

33. Laba-laba

    Spider

    Usage

    For a spider in your room or a mountain hut. Malaysian Malay spells it "labah-labah"

34. Lipan

    Centipede

    Usage

    The bite hurts badly. "Kelabang" is an equally common word for it — show either at a clinic if you are bitten

35. Kupu-kupu

    Butterfly

    Usage

    For butterfly parks and national parks. Malaysian Malay uses an entirely different word, "rama-rama"

36. Lalat

    Fly

    Usage

    Used when you are worried about hygiene at a stall or eatery

37. Ubur-ubur

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Show it to ask for first aid after a sting. Malaysian Malay spells it "obor-obor"

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