Some Indonesian, and some not.
Just a few fun acronyms … to complement your Bahasa Indonesia learning!
ABCD
ABRI Bukan Cepak Doang (He’s not in the Army, but his hairstyle looks like one.)Cepak = very short hair.
Aspal
Asli Tapi Palsu – original but fake/imitation.(Also the Indonesian word for asphalt.)
ATM
Angkat Tangan Mas! – Put up your hands, bro!
Baper
Bawa Perasaan – Taking things too personally or becoming overly emotional.
BCA
Bule Cari Ayam – Foreigners looking for girls.
Or:
Bank Cape Antri – Tired of waiting in line at the bank!
BSS
Bayar Sendiri-Sendiri – When dining out, everyone pays for their own meal (similar to “going Dutch”).
BT
Bete – Feeling annoyed, irritated, or fed up.
Carmuk
Cari Muka – Acting in order to gain favor with the boss.(Literal translation: “looking for face.”)
CLBK
Cinta Lama Bersemi Kembali – An old romance rekindled.
Coca-Cola
Cowok Cakep Cowok Laki – Said jokingly by girls about a good-looking guy.
EGP
Emang Gue Pikirin – “Why should I care?” or “I couldn’t care less.”(Not particularly polite, so use with caution!)
Ember
Emang Bener – That’s absolutely right.
Gabut
Originally from Gaji Buta, but now commonly used to mean bored, idle, or having nothing to do.
Gaje
Gak Jelas – Unclear, confusing, weird, or nonsensical.
GARUDA
Go And Rest Until the Delay Announcement
Or:
Good And Reliable Under Dutch Administration
GR
Gede Rasa – Someone who is overly confident or assumes people are interested in them.
IWA
Indonesia Wins Again – Hey, there ain’t nuthin’ you can do … that’s just the way it is here!
Japri
Jalur Pribadi – A private message or direct message.
Jayus
A joke that is so unfunny that it becomes funny.
Jojoba
Jomblo-Jomblo Bahagia – Happy singles.
Joker
Jomblo Keren – Cool single person.
Kakilima
Kanan Kiri Lintas Manusia – A humorous explanation for the term pedagang kaki lima.
Kepo
Often jokingly explained as Knowing Every Particular Object, but commonly used to describe someone who is nosy or overly curious.
Mager
Malas Gerak – Too lazy to move.
Maksi
Makan Siang – Lunch.
Mansur
Often used jokingly for someone who doesn’t like sharing food.
Mantul
Mantap Betul – Awesome! Excellent!
Mandor Kawat
Kerja Kendor Makan Kuat – Works lazily but eats a lot.
OmDo
Omong Doang – Just talk, no action.
OTW
On The Way – One of Indonesia’s most frequently used acronyms … sometimes even before the person has left home!
PeDe
Percaya Diri – Self-confident.
PDA
Please Dong Ah …
PDKT
Pendekatan – The getting-to-know-you stage before dating.
PHP
Pemberi Harapan Palsu – Someone who gives false hope, especially in relationships.
Pin-Pin-Bo
Pintar-Pintar Bodoh – Someone pretending not to know something.
PPP
Putra Putri Presiden – Historically referred to President Soeharto’s children and their business empires.
P-7
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance – Pronounced Pay Tujuh. Popular among expatriates and often confused with an Indonesian government program.
Pungli
Pungutan Liar – Illegal fees, extortion, or unofficial payments.
PW or PeWe
Posisi Wuenak – Comfortable position.
As in:
“Aku tidak mau ke mana-mana, soalnya udah PW.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere, I’m comfortable here.”
SKSD
Sok Kenal Sok Dekat – Someone pretending to be close to someone else.
SMP
Sudah Makan Pulang – Go to a party, eat the food, then go home. No need to sit around and chat afterward!
Titi Kamal
Hati-Hati Kalau Making Love – Be careful if you’re making love!
TTDJ
(Read: tee-tee dee-jay)
Hati-Hati Di Jalan – Be careful on your trip.
A play on the name of famous Indonesian singer Titi DJ.
Please share any fun acronyms you know with the community! Contact us.
