馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesian phrases

How to Say "Excuse me" in Indonesian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Permisi
"Excuse me" in Indonesian 路 say it like per-mee-see

The most natural way to say "Excuse me" in Indonesian is Permisi. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Maaf
used more for apologizing or interrupting
Permisi sebentar
used when you need a moment of someone's time

When to use it

Use 'Permisi' when you want to politely interrupt someone or get their attention. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. You can use it when entering a room or when you need to ask someone to move aside.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Excuse me" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Indonesian

IndonesianEnglish
Permisi, bolehkah saya lewat?Excuse me, may I pass through?
Permisi, saya ingin bertanya.Excuse me, I would like to ask a question.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Permisi' with 'Maaf', using it in situations where they should apologize instead.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Permisi, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Indonesian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'Permisi'?

'Permisi' is used when you want to politely interrupt or get someone's attention.

Learn Indonesian by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.