Balinese Language And Other Languages In Bali: A Quick Review

Q: What languages do people speak in Bali?

People in Bali speak three main languages: Balinese, Indonesian, and English.

Q: Should I learn any basic Balinese phrases?

Yes, learning some basic Balinese words is a good idea when visiting Bali. Even though most locals speak Indonesian and English, using simple Balinese greetings like ‘thank you’ can help you make friends and show you care about their culture.

Q: What are the main languages spoken in Bali?

Balinese, Indonesian, and English are the main and most spoken languages in Bali.

Q: How different is Balinese from Bahasa Indonesia?

Indonesian and Balinese are completely different languages. They have different origins, vocabulary, and grammatical structures.

So all your bags are packed for your Bali Tour and are you wondering what languages are spoken in Bali? Let’s exactly discuss languages in Bali! Understanding the most spoken languages in Bali is essential for any traveller. While there are several languages used in Bali, three main languages dominate everyday communication on the island.

For many years, Bali has been a popular holiday destination that attracts all kinds of tourists: adventure seekers, nature lovers, surfers, digital nomads, party animals, yogis, and those who come for wellness and wellbeing. Bali is also often described as a place for healing. The island has many opportunities for self-care: there are Spas in Bali, healthy restaurants, yoga studios, and natural healing centres everywhere. So whatever it is as a foreigner to Bali, one thing might be bugging you! “what language spoken in Bali Indonesia?”

There are two official languages in Bali: Bahasa Indonesia or Indonesian, which is spoken on every island in Indonesia, and Balinese, spoken by the locals on the Island of the Gods aka Bali. Most Balinese people are bilingual – they can speak Indonesian and Balinese, and lots of them are also trilingual with English as their third language. While locals are known for their friendly nature towards foreigners, conversing with them in Indonesian or Balinese can be a great way to connect with them more.

Hence, there are three main languages spoken in Bali: Indonesian, Balinese, and English.

Bali is rich in culture, including local languages.

Bahasa Indonesia

Although Bahasa Indonesia is the national language used in institutions such as schools, offices, and the government, you will hear people speaking in other languages besides Bahasa Indonesia as well.

Bahasa Indonesia is a relatively easy language to learn. It is written using the alphabet and pronunciation which is purely phonetic (that is, you say it as you read it).

It has some of the simplest grammar of any language too. There is also the advantage that if you learn Indonesian, you can use it all over the vast archipelago rather than just in Bali.

You will have no problems communicating with most Indonesians using this language.

Interestingly, it’s also very similar to Malay and somewhat similar to the Philippines’ main language, Tagalog. So, if you learn Indonesian, you can quickly learn Malay and get some advantage in learning Tagalog too.

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