The Balinese language (Basa Bali) is a beautiful and culturally rich language spoken on the Indonesian island of Bali. While Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the official language of the country and widely spoken in Bali, Basa Bali remains an important part of the island’s identity, used in traditional ceremonies, family conversations, and rural communities.
If you’re planning to visit Bali or want to connect more deeply with Balinese culture, learning a few basic phrases and understanding the language structure can be incredibly rewarding. This guide will help you get started with common greetings, useful expressions, and essential grammar rules.
1. Understanding Balinese Speech Levels
Before diving into phrases, it’s important to know that Balinese has three main speech levels, which depend on social status and respect:
- Basa Kasar (Low Balinese) – Informal speech used with close friends, children, or equals.
- Basa Madya (Middle Balinese) – Neutral, polite speech used in everyday conversations.
- Basa Alus (High Balinese) – Formal speech used to show respect, especially to elders, nobility, or religious leaders.
For example, the word “eat” can be said in different ways depending on the formality:
- Low Balinese: Ajeng
- Middle Balinese: Ngunan
- High Balinese: Madaran
Most foreigners and beginners can use Middle Balinese for daily conversations, as it is widely understood and polite without being too formal.
2. Essential Balinese Greetings and Expressions
Common Greetings
| English | Balinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Om Swastiastu | Ohm swas-tee-ahs-too |
| Good morning | Rahajeng semeng | Rah-ha-jeng seh-meng |
| Good afternoon | Rahajeng sanja | Rah-ha-jeng san-ja |
| Good evening | Rahajeng wengi | Rah-ha-jeng wuh-ngi |
| Goodbye | Pisang rahayu | Pee-sang ra-ha-yu |
| How are you? | Kenken kabare? | Ken-ken ka-ba-re? |
| I’m fine | Becik-becik | Be-chik be-chik |
| Thank you | Suksema | Sook-se-ma |
| Thank you very much | Matur suksma | Mah-toor sook-se-ma |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Ampura | Am-poo-ra |
Useful Phrases for Travelers
| English | Balinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| What is your name? | Sira nyen? | See-ra nyen? |
| My name is… | Titiyang… | Tee-tee-yang… |
| Where is the toilet? | Ring dija kakus? | Ring dee-ja ka-koos? |
| How much does this cost? | Ageng napi ajinane? | Ah-geng na-pee a-jee-na-ne? |
| Can you help me? | Bise tulung titiang? | Bee-seh too-loong tee-tee-yang? |
| I don’t understand | Titiang ten ngertanin | Tee-tee-yang ten nger-ta-neen |
| Yes | Inggih | Ing-gee |
| No | Ten | Ten |
These phrases will help you navigate Bali more easily and create positive interactions with locals.
3. Basic Balinese Sentence Structure
Balinese sentence structure is similar to Indonesian, generally following a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order.
Simple Sentence Examples
| English | Balinese | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| I eat rice | Titiang ajeng nasi | I eat rice |
| You drink water | Ragane nginum yeh | You drink water |
| He/She goes to the market | Ida lunga ke pasar | He/She goes to the market |
Unlike English, Balinese does not require auxiliary verbs (such as “am,” “is,” “are”) in simple sentences.
Negation (Saying “No” or “Not”)
To negate a sentence, you can use “ten” or “tusing” before the verb:
- I don’t eat meat → Titiang ten ajeng daging
- I don’t want to go → Titiang tusing lunga
4. Numbers and Counting in Balinese
Knowing numbers is essential for shopping, bargaining, and asking about time.
| Number | Balinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siki | See-kee |
| 2 | Dua | Doo-ah |
| 3 | Tiga | Tee-gah |
| 4 | Papat | Pah-paht |
| 5 | Lima | Lee-mah |
| 6 | Nem | Nehm |
| 7 | Pitu | Pee-too |
| 8 | Kutus | Koo-toos |
| 9 | Sia | See-ah |
| 10 | Dasa | Dah-sah |
For larger numbers:
- 11 = Solas
- 20 = Dwi Dasa
- 50 = Lima Dasa
- 100 = Satus
- 1,000 = Sèwu
5. Common Words for Food and Shopping
If you want to order food or buy something in a market, these words will be helpful:
Food and Drinks
| English | Balinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Nasi | Nah-see |
| Water | Yeh | Yeh |
| Coffee | Kopi | Koh-pee |
| Fish | Be Pasih | Beh pah-seeh |
| Chicken | Ayam | Ah-yahm |
| Spicy | Pedas | Peh-das |
| Sweet | Manis | Mah-nees |
Shopping Phrases
| English | Balinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Too expensive! | Mahal banget! | Ma-hal ba-nget |
| Can you give me a discount? | Bisa nawang? | Bee-sa na-wang? |
| I want to buy this | Titiang jagi ngadol niki | Tee-tee-yang ja-gee nga-dol nee-kee |
| I don’t want it | Titiang tusing ngadol | Tee-tee-yang too-sing nga-dol |
Bargaining is common in Balinese markets, so knowing these phrases can help you get a fair price!
6. Politeness and Cultural Tips
- Use “Om Swastiastu” when greeting people, especially elders or religious figures.
- Always smile when speaking—it’s a key part of Balinese hospitality.
- Avoid raising your voice; Balinese people value calm and respectful speech.
- If unsure about which speech level to use, go with Middle Balinese (Basa Madya).
- When speaking to elders or in temples, use polite expressions like “Matur suksma” (thank you) and “Ampura” (excuse me).
Conclusion: Start Speaking Balinese Today!
Even learning just a few Balinese phrases can enhance your experience in Bali, allowing you to connect with locals on a deeper level. While most Balinese people speak Indonesian, they appreciate when visitors make an effort to learn their native language.