Thank you in Indonesian is terima kasih (tuh-REE-mah KAH-sih). That is the form on every sign and in every textbook, and it is right anywhere. In conversation, though, Indonesians almost always shorten it to makasih (mah-KAH-sih), and the reply you will hear is sama-sama (SAH-mah SAH-mah), "you're welcome", literally "same-same".
Here is the quick version, then each one with examples.
- Terima kasih: thank you. Formal and written, and the right choice with elders, officials and in any speech.
- Makasih: thanks. What people say. Spelled makasih or makasi.
- Terima kasih banyak / makasih banyak: thank you very much (banyak = many, a lot).
- Makasih ya: thanks, with the softening ya that makes it warm rather than brisk.
- Sama-sama: you're welcome. Also kembali in formal settings and sip or oke among friends.
1. Terima kasih and makasih
Terima kasih is two words: terima (receive) and kasih (love, care), so it is literally "I receive your kindness". Say the h at the end: it is a light breath, not silent, and dropping it is the most common foreign accent giveaway in this phrase.
Makasih is simply the spoken contraction. It is not slang and not rude; a shop assistant says it to a customer and a child says it to a grandmother. In our podcast episode on eating with your hands, the thank-yous around the table are all makasih.
- Terima kasih, Pak. Thank you, sir.
- Makasih ya! Thanks!
- Makasih banyak, udah bantu. Thanks a lot for helping. (See what udah means.)
- Terima kasih atas perhatiannya. Thank you for your attention. (The written, formal closing.)
2. Thank you very much, and thank you for
Banyak after either form adds "very much". For "thank you for", formal Indonesian uses atas; spoken Indonesian usually just names the thing or uses udah (already) plus the verb.
- Terima kasih banyak. Thank you very much.
- Makasih banyak ya. Thanks so much.
- Terima kasih atas bantuannya. Thank you for your help. (formal)
- Makasih udah datang. Thanks for coming. (spoken)
- Makasih kopinya. Thanks for the coffee. (spoken; the -nya points at the specific coffee)
3. You're welcome: sama-sama and the others
Sama-sama is the universal reply. The textbook also gives kembali (literally "return"), which you will hear from hotel staff and in formal settings, and terima kasih kembali (thank you in return). Among friends the reply is often just sip (sure), oke or santai (relax, no worries). There is a full page on sama-sama and selamat datang.
- Makasih. Sama-sama. Thanks. You're welcome.
- Terima kasih, Bu. Kembali. Thank you, ma'am. You're welcome.
- Makasih ya. Sip! Thanks. Sure!
4. Makasih is often a no
One thing that surprises learners: makasih on its own, with a small smile and a hand raised, is how Indonesians decline something offered. Mau kerupuk? Makasih. means "no thank you", not "yes please". If you want the crackers, say mau (want) or boleh (sure, may I).
Common mistakes
Dropping the final h. Terima kasi sounds foreign. Breathe out on the h.
Terima kasih to your friends all day. Correct, but stiff. Switch to makasih with anyone you would say hai to (see how to say hello).
Hearing makasih as yes. When you offer something and get makasih, it is a polite no. Offer once more, or move on.
Saying thank you too much. Indonesians thank a little less often than English speakers in small transactions; a nod and ya or oke when you take your change is normal. Save the terima kasih for real favours.
FAQ
How do you say thank you in Indonesian?
Terima kasih, pronounced tuh-REE-mah KAH-sih. In everyday conversation most people say makasih.
How do you say thank you very much in Indonesian?
Terima kasih banyak or, in conversation, makasih banyak. Banyak means "a lot".
What is the difference between terima kasih and makasih?
Same meaning. Terima kasih is the full, formal form used in writing and polite speech; makasih is the spoken contraction used with almost everyone in conversation.
How do you say thank you in Bahasa Indonesia?
Bahasa Indonesia is simply the Indonesian name for Indonesian, so the answer is the same: terima kasih or makasih.
How do you reply to terima kasih?
Sama-sama (you're welcome). More formally kembali; among friends sip or oke.
Learn the phrase people actually say
Every course teaches terima kasih. Almost everyone will say makasih to you. That gap between textbook and spoken Indonesian is why learners finish a course and still miss half of what they hear, and it is the gap JADI is built to close. Our list of 50 basic Indonesian phrases gives both forms for each.
Every JADI lesson is written by Yohana, a native Indonesian teacher, around the sentences people say, with audio for each one and spaced repetition so they stay. The first 6 lesson days are free.
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