The words of Indonesia

Indonesia — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Indonesia, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“Little by little, over time it becomes a hill.”

Sedikit demi sedikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“Heavy loads carried together, light loads borne together.”

Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“There is no ivory that is not cracked.”

Tak ada gading yang tak retak.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“There is a shrimp behind the rock.”

Ada udang di balik batu.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“Rippling water is a sign that it is not deep.”

Air beriak tanda tak dalam.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“However skilled a squirrel is at leaping, one day it too will fall.”

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, sekali waktu jatuh juga.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“Where the earth is stepped upon, there the sky is upheld.”

Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“Like an owl longing for the moon.”

Bagai pungguk merindukan bulan.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“An elephant leaves its tusks when it dies, a tiger leaves its stripes; a person leaves a name.”

Gajah mati meninggalkan gading, harimau mati meninggalkan belang, manusia mati meninggalkan nama.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition

“Like water on a taro leaf.”

Bagai air di daun talas.

Source: Traditional Indonesian peribahasa, public-domain oral tradition