馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesian phrases

How to Say "Friend" in Indonesian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
teman
"Friend" in Indonesian 路 say it like tuh-mahn

The most natural way to say "Friend" in Indonesian is teman. 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

sahabat
used for a close friend or best friend
kawan
more casual, often used in informal contexts

When to use it

You can use 'teman' in most situations when referring to a friend. It is appropriate for both casual and formal contexts. Use 'sahabat' when you want to emphasize a deeper friendship. 'Kawan' is suitable for informal conversations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Indonesian

IndonesianEnglish
Dia adalah teman baik saya.He is my good friend.
Saya pergi ke bioskop dengan teman-teman saya.I went to the cinema with my friends.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse 'teman' with 'sahabat', thinking they are interchangeable, but 'sahabat' implies a closer relationship.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear teman, 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

What is the difference between 'teman' and 'sahabat'?

'Teman' is a general term for friend, while 'sahabat' refers to a close or best friend.

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