How to Say Thank You in Indonesian: “Terima Kasih” with Audio & Examples

3rd August, 2025

On your trip to Indonesia, you’ll want to have warm interactions with the local people, right? Just by saying “thank you” in the local language, your travel experience will become so much richer!

Please teach me! I’ve just been saying “Thank you” in English…

In this article, we will introduce various expressions for “thank you” that you can use on your trip to Indonesia, categorized by different situations. It’s okay even if you’re new to the Indonesian language! We will explain it clearly with romanized pronunciation and audio.

First, the Basic “Thank You”: “Terima kasih”

In Indonesian, “thank you” is “Terima kasih” .

The romanized spelling is “Terima kasih,” but it may also be written as “terimakasih.” Both spellings are okay!

Pronunciation of Terima kasih (Thank you)

Pronunciation of Terima kasih

The trick to pronunciation is to say “Terima” lightly and slightly elongate the “kasih.” Placing the accent on “Terima” like “Terima kasih” will make it sound more natural.

This “Terima kasih” is a versatile phrase that can be used in any situation! Restaurants, hotels, taxis, shops… you can use it anywhere, so let’s start by memorizing this phrase and using it actively! You’re sure to get a wonderful smile in return.

The Origin of Terima kasih

“Terima” means “to receive/be given,” and “kasih” means “love/affection/to give.”

So, “Terima kasih” literally means “to accept love,” and it’s a word that conveys the meaning of “I have received your love” in response to someone’s kindness.

What a lovely origin! I’ve heard that the Japanese word for thank you, “arigato,” comes from the word for “hard to exist,” meaning something rare and precious.

It’s a beautiful word, isn’t it! This phrase is not just a formality but a way to express heartfelt gratitude.

Expressing More Gratitude! Variations of “Thank You”

In addition to the basic “Terima kasih,” let’s learn some other expressions!

Expression	Meaning	Formality
Terima kasih	Thank you	Standard
Terima kasih banyak	Thank you very much	Polite
Makasih	Thanks	Casual
Makasih ya	Thanks	Casual
Saya mengucapkan terima kasih	I express my gratitude	Formal
Matur nuwun	Thank you	Polite (Javanese)

Various Expressions for “Thank You” in Indonesian

Thank you very much: Terima kasih banyak

Terima kasih banyak

Pronunciation of Terima kasih banyak

“banyak” means “a lot.” It’s perfect for when you want to express more polite gratitude, with the nuance of “Thank you very much” or “Thanks a lot.”

Casual Thank You: Makasih

Makasih

Pronunciation of Makasih

A casual “thank you” to use with friends and family. It’s similar to saying “Thanks” in English.

A Softer Thank You: Makasih ya

Makasih ya

Pronunciation of Makasih ya

Adding “ya” makes the expression a bit softer. It’s often used in conversations with close friends.

I express my gratitude: Saya mengucapkan terima kasih

Saya mengucapkan terima kasih

Pronunciation of Saya mengucapkan terima kasih

A polite expression used in formal situations or official speeches. It means “I express my gratitude.”

Thank You in Javanese: Matur nuwun

Matur nuwun

A polite expression used on the island of Java. It is used to express gratitude to elders or superiors.

Adding Words to “Thank You” to Be Even More Polite

By adding a few words to your thank you, you can convey your feelings even more.

You can use “atas” + (object of gratitude) to say, “Thank you for ~”.

Thank you for your help: Terima kasih atas bantuannya

Terima kasih atas bantuannya: “Thank you for your help.”

Pronunciation of Terima kasih atas bantuannya

Thank you for your time: Terima kasih atas waktunya

Terima kasih atas waktunya: “Thank you for your time.”

Pronunciation of Terima kasih atas waktunya

Ready-to-Use “Thank You” Phrases for Different Scenes

Here are some useful phrases you can use during your trip, categorized by scene.

1. At a Restaurant

Makanannya enak. Terima kasih: The food was delicious! Thank you.
Minumannya enak. Terima kasih: The drink was delicious! Thank you.
Pelayanannya bagus. Terima kasih: The service was great! Thank you.

2. At a Hotel

Kamarnya bersih. Terima kasih: The room was clean! Thank you.
Terima kasih telah membantu membawa barang saya: Thank you for helping me with my luggage!
Terima kasih atas kebaikan Anda: Thank you for your kindness!

3. Shopping

Saya mau ini (while pointing at an item): I’ll take this!
Terima kasih sudah memberi diskon: Thank you for the discount!
Terima kasih untuk barang yang bagus: Thank you for the wonderful item!

4. In a Taxi

Tolong Ke 〇〇 (〇〇 is your destination): To 〇〇, please.
Berhenti di sini: Please stop here.
Terima kasih: Thank you!

5. In Other Situations

Terima kasih atas bantuannya: Thank you for your help!
Terima kasih sudah memberi tahu saya: Thank you for letting me know!
Terima kasih telah memotret saya: Thank you for taking my picture!

When Someone Says “Thank You” to You: How to Say “You’re Welcome” in Indonesian

If someone says “Terima kasih” to you, respond with a smile and “You’re welcome”!

Sama-sama: The most common way to say “You’re welcome.” The key is to say it twice.
Tidak apa-apa: A casual expression meaning “You’re welcome” or “It’s okay.”
Terima kasih juga / Terima kasih kembali: Means “Thank you, too.” An expression used when you also want to express gratitude.
Senang bisa membantu: A polite expression meaning “I’m happy to help.”
Senang dengan hati: A polite expression meaning “With all my heart.” It can also be used with the nuance of “I’m happy to help.”

Use these phrases as a reference and actively communicate with the people of Indonesia! It will surely make for wonderful travel memories.