Malaysian Malay · Bahasa Melayu
The Malay standard of Malaysia. Shares core grammar with Indonesian but differs in vocabulary, with stronger English borrowings and distinct spelling conventions.
Bahasa Indonesia
Also known as: Standard Indonesian
The national lingua franca and official language of Indonesia, derived from Malay and shaped by extensive contact with Javanese, Sundanese, Dutch, and English.
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Bahasa Indonesia?
Bahasa Indonesia is a dialect of the Indonesian language.
Where is Bahasa Indonesia spoken?
Bahasa Indonesia is primarily spoken in Indonesia.
Which region is Bahasa Indonesia associated with?
Bahasa Indonesia is part of the Southeast Asia region on DialectAtlas.
Is Bahasa Indonesia known by other names?
Yes — Bahasa Indonesia is also referred to as Standard Indonesian.
What are the other dialects of Indonesian?
Indonesian also includes Bahasa Malaysia, Brunei Malay. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.
Other Indonesian dialects
See on the atlas →Bahasa Melayu Brunei
The Malay variety of Brunei. A vernacular distinct from both Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesian, used as the everyday spoken standard alongside formal Bahasa Melayu.
Nearby dialects
See on the atlas →115 km away
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The Malay standard of Malaysia. Shares core grammar with Indonesian but differs in vocabulary, with stronger English borrowings and distinct spelling conventions.
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The Malay variety of Brunei. A vernacular distinct from both Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesian, used as the everyday spoken standard alongside formal Bahasa Melayu.
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