Thank you in Indonesian: terima kasih.
Terima kasih means "thank you" in Indonesian. It is polite, natural, and safe with friends, strangers, older people, hotel staff, drivers, colleagues, and almost anyone else.
How to pronounce terima kasih
Say it as teh-REE-mah KAH-see. Keep the syllables light and even. The final h in kasih is soft, so the ending sounds closer to "see" than the English word "sigh."
You can hear the phrase and a full example on the terima kasih pronunciation page.
What does terima kasih literally mean?
Terima means "receive," while kasih can mean affection, love, or kindness. Together they form a fixed expression of thanks. You do not need to translate the parts while speaking. Treat terima kasih as one phrase.
Write it as two words. The official KBBI dictionary entry uses terima kasih, not terimakasih.
Five useful ways to say thank you
- Terima kasih.
Thank you. The universal default. - Terima kasih banyak.
Thank you very much. Warm and slightly stronger. - Makasih.
Thanks. Casual speech with friends and familiar people. - Makasih ya.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Friendly and conversational. - Terima kasih atas bantuannya.
Thank you for the help. Polite and useful in work or service situations.
Makasih drops the opening syllables of terima. You will hear it constantly in relaxed conversation and messages. Start with the full terima kasih when you are unsure, then use makasih once the relationship feels casual.
How to say thank you very much
Add banyak, meaning "many" or "a lot": Terima kasih banyak. It fits after someone gives you detailed directions, helps with a problem, invites you into their home, or does more than you expected.
- Terima kasih banyak sudah membantu saya.
Thank you very much for helping me. - Terima kasih banyak atas waktunya.
Thank you very much for your time.
How to reply to thank you
The standard Indonesian reply is sama-sama, pronounced SAH-mah SAH-mah. In this context it means "you're welcome."
- Sama-sama. You're welcome.
- Terima kasih kembali. Thank you in return, a polite service-style reply.
- Tidak apa-apa. No problem or it is fine.
- Dengan senang hati. With pleasure.
- Santai saja. No worries, take it easy, very casual.
Sama-sama is the safest reply. Tidak apa-apa works when you want to minimise the effort, much like "no problem."
Thanking someone for something specific
Use terima kasih atas... in formal writing and terima kasih sudah... before a verb in everyday speech.
- Terima kasih atas informasinya.
Thank you for the information. - Terima kasih atas undangannya.
Thank you for the invitation. - Terima kasih sudah datang.
Thank you for coming. - Terima kasih sudah menunggu.
Thank you for waiting. - Terima kasih sudah mengantar saya.
Thank you for taking me there.
Thank you in an Indonesian email
In a friendly message, Terima kasih can close the email on its own. In a formal email, name what you appreciate:
- Terima kasih atas perhatian Bapak/Ibu.
Thank you for your attention, Sir or Ma'am. - Terima kasih atas bantuan dan kerja samanya.
Thank you for your help and cooperation. - Terima kasih sebelumnya.
Thank you in advance.
Bapak/Ibu is more respectful than a generic Anda in many professional exchanges. If you know the person's title or name, use it.
Is thank you different in Bali or Java?
Terima kasih is Indonesian and works throughout the country. Regional languages have their own expressions. In Balinese you may hear suksma, while Javanese speakers may say matur nuwun. These are not national substitutes, so use them only when you know which local language is appropriate.
In Bali, Indonesian is the most reliable choice for a visitor. Terima kasih, Pak or terima kasih, Bu is respectful and immediately understood.
Common mistakes
- Writing it as one word. Use terima kasih in standard writing.
- Using makasih in a very formal letter. The full phrase is safer.
- Pronouncing kasih like "cash." The second syllable is closer to "see."
- Using a regional thank-you everywhere. Suksma is Balinese and matur nuwun is Javanese, while terima kasih is Indonesian.
A complete mini-dialogue
- A: Permisi, bisa membantu saya?
- B: Bisa. Mau ke mana?
- A: Saya mau ke stasiun.
- B: Lurus, lalu belok kiri.
- A: Terima kasih banyak.
- B: Sama-sama.
A: Excuse me, can you help me? B: Yes. Where do you want to go? A: I want to go to the station. B: Straight ahead, then turn left. A: Thank you very much. B: You're welcome.