JAKARTA, GESAHKITA COM– Learning Indonesian Swear words is important. Not that you can use it in everyday conversation, but so you can avoid in using the words. Whether you are learning the language for academic purpose or only for short vacation, it is important to at least know the meaning of the swear words.
In general, swear words are taken from six categories which are in relation to religion or belief, genital organs, body part, body function, synonym of ‘bodoh’ (stupid), and animal name. Below are some example of Indonesian swear words.
A
Anjing! = Dog!
Asu! = Dog! Javanese
B
Babi lu = you pig, swine
Bangsat = dork
Bajingan = bastard
Brengsek = jerk
Bokong = ass
Bego = moron
Buaya darat = womanizer
Buaya = crocodile
Banci = shemale, usually refers to coward people
Bacot = too much talking
Bedebah = son of a bitch
Bencong = synonym of banci, ladyboy
Blo’on = another term of stupid, as harsh as bego
Bodoh = stupid
Boker = pooping or doing your ‘business’.
Bawel = annoyingly talks too much
Budeg = refers to someone who can listen perfectly, or has problem with hearing.
C
Centil = flirtatious girls
Caper = seeks others’ attention in annoying way
Curut = refers to tikus curut or rat
Cabe lo = you are a bitch
D
Dodol = a name of Indonesian sweet snack. But if refers to cursive word, it translates as stupid, only in less harsh tone but still offensive.
Dekil = clumsy and dirty looking people
E
Eneg = feeling of fed up until you want to throw up. But as cursive words, it shows disgust to something.
Edan = Javanese word which means crazy minds or insane.
G
Ganjen = flirtatious act
Goblok = Javanese word, synonym of bodoh, translated as stupid.
Gigolo = male prostitute
Gila = crazy. It is offensive when you accuse others as crazy or insane i.e. dasar gila! (You insane)
H
Haram jadah = misbegotten
I
Iblis = devil
J
Jablay = stands for ‘jarang dibelai’, this similar to bitch
Jahanam = hell
Jancok = Javanese words, means fuck.
Jayus = you are not funny
Jembut = Javanese words, means pubic hair.
Jalang = bitch, whore
Jangkrik = cricket, mostly used in Java Island.
K
Kadal = lizard
Kampret = damn
Kancut = underwear
Kontol = Javanese word for dick
Kampungan = dork
Katrok = synonym of kampungan, generally means dork
Kafir = disbeliever
Kere = poor, but in negative sense
Keledai = donkey
Kecepirit = poop in pant or can also refers to fart with slight poop coming out. Eeww.
L
Lebay = overreacting, in annoying way
Lonte = Javanese word of female whore
Laknat = damn it
M
Monyet = monkey
Monyong = long mouth or refers to people with blabber mouth
Matamu = this can be just ordinary word meaning your eye. But when saying it in angry tone, it can be cursive which refers to someone’s vision.
Memek = pussy
Mesum = immoral acts
Maho = gay-ish man
N
Ngentot = fucking
Nyolot = trigger someone’s emotion
Norak = dorky attitude
Otak udang = shiit in the brain
P
Perek = bitchy, callgirl
Pelacur = prostitute
pelakor = stands for ‘perebut laki orang’, which refers to women who date another women’s husband or boyfriend.
Pantat = ass
S
Sampah = rubbish
Sarap = crazy, insane
Sinting = insane
Sempak = men’s underwear
Setan = devil, ghost
Sial = shit
Sialan = damn it.
T
Tai, taik, taek = shit, poop, faeces. Also added animal name after the word i.e tai kucing (cat poop)
Tolol = stupid
Toket = women’s boob
So you know the Indonesian dirty words, you can avoid using the words unless you are in an ultra-furious situation. However, Indonesian people, especially among close friends, may use some of the words quite often for fun. But when you are not sure about the situation, it is better to refrain from using dirty words, otherwise it can cause in misunderstanding.
It is also important to note that different island or area in Indonesia may have its own dialect for bad words. For example in Java, they have their own as well as other areas. In most cases, people also combine more than one dirty word for a harsher meaning or at least they add the word ‘lu’ or ‘kamu’ to refer to the person.
Monyet gila = crazy monkey
Otak mesum = immoral-thinking brain
Eneg sama lo = I am sick of you
Dasar babi gila = You crazy pig
Anjing busuk = rotten pig
anjing gila = mad dog
As you know, the words are not intended for everyday conversation especially when you talk to older people and small children. This list of words should be enough for personal reference.(edited version)