Feelings

1. Senang

   Glad / Pleased

   Usage

   The easiest one to reach for. "Senang bertemu Anda" means "pleased to meet you"

2. Bahagia

   Happy

   Usage

   Deeper than "senang" — the happiness of a life or a relationship. Also used in congratulations

3. Gembira

   Cheerful / Delighted

   Usage

   Visible, outward cheer — the word for children and festivals

4. Tidak sabar

   Can't wait

   Usage

   Literally "not patient", but it is the normal way to say you are looking forward to something

5. Bangga

   Proud

   Usage

   Works as praise too: "saya bangga sama kamu" means "I am proud of you"

6. Lega

   Relieved

   Usage

   For when a lost item turns up, or you arrive safely after all

7. Tenang

   Calm

   Usage

   Describes your own state, and also works as "calm down" said to someone else

8. Cinta

   Love

   Usage

   Romantic love: "aku cinta kamu" is "I love you". For a mild liking use "suka" instead

9. Suka

   Like

   Usage

   Works for food, places and people alike. "Saya suka ini" means "I like this"

10. Kangen

    Miss (someone)

    Usage

    From Javanese and the normal choice in speech; "rindu" is the formal word. "Kangen Indonesia" means you miss Indonesia

11. Sedih

    Sad

    Usage

    Sadness in general. "Turut sedih" is a way of saying "I'm sorry to hear that"

12. Kecewa

    Disappointed

    Usage

    A calm way to register dissatisfaction with a service or product — more effective than raising your voice

13. Sayang sekali

    What a pity

    Usage

    For plans that fall through. "Sayang" alone can also mean "darling", so learn it as this whole phrase

14. Kesepian

    Lonely

    Usage

    For the loneliness of solo travel. Different from "sendirian" (alone), which is just a fact

15. Marah

    Angry

    Usage

    Openly showing anger is taken seriously in Indonesia — save this word for when you really mean it

16. Kesal

    Annoyed

    Usage

    Milder than "marah" — the feeling of being stuck in traffic or kept waiting

17. Takut

    Afraid

    Usage

    Add the thing you fear: "takut anjing" means "afraid of dogs"

18. Kaget

    Startled / Surprised

    Usage

    For a sudden shock — an earth tremor or a blast of a car horn

19. Khawatir

    Worried

    Usage

    From Arabic. "Jangan khawatir" means "don't worry". Malaysian Malay prefers "risau"

20. Stres

    Stressed

    Usage

    Borrowed from English and instantly understood. Note the single "s" at the end

21. Malu

    Embarrassed / Shy

    Usage

    Covers embarrassment and shyness alike. Doubled as "malu-malu" it means bashful

22. Bosan

    Bored

    Usage

    Bored or fed up. Avoid aiming it at something your host arranged — it stings

23. Capek

    Tired

    Usage

    The everyday form; "lelah" is the formal one. Malaysian Malay uses a different word, "penat"

24. Ngantuk

    Sleepy

    Usage

    The colloquial form of "mengantuk" — what you feel after a night bus or a dawn flight

25. Baik-baik saja

    I'm fine

    Usage

    The standard reply to "apa kabar?", and also the way to reassure someone who is worried

26. Kurang enak badan

    Not feeling well

    Usage

    What to say when you cannot name the problem. Literally "body not quite right" — milder than "sakit"

27. Bingung

    Confused

    Usage

    Show it when you are lost or stuck with paperwork — someone usually steps in to help

28. Terharu

    Moved / Touched

    Usage

    For being moved by kindness or by a view. Saying it in thanks for hospitality lands well

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