Practice Indonesian at a Police Station
A police station visit in Indonesian — to file a report, to ask for help, or to recover a lost item — is one of the highest-stakes scenarios for a learner. The register is formal, the vocabulary is technical, and getting your story across precisely matters. This scenario rehearses filing a report calmly: greeting the officer, explaining the incident in chronological order, providing your details, and understanding what happens next. You'll practise the past tenses for narrating events, the legal vocabulary in Indonesian, and the polite formulas for asking 'What should I do now?'.
Sample Indonesian conversation
Selamat siang. Ada yang bisa saya bantu hari ini?
Good afternoon. How can I help you today?Saya ingin melaporkan pencurian. Seseorang mencuri tas saya.
I'd like to report a theft. Someone stole my bag.Saya turut prihatin. Bisa ceritakan apa yang terjadi? Di mana dan kapan kejadiannya?
I'm sorry to hear that. Can you tell me what happened? Where and when did this occur?Saya sedang di bus dan seseorang mengambil tas saya saat saya lengah. Kejadiannya sekitar satu jam yang lalu.
I was on the bus and someone took my bag when I wasn't looking. It was about an hour ago.Bisa deskripsikan tasnya dan apa saja isinya? Ada barang berharga?
Can you describe the bag and tell me what was inside? Any valuables?Ponsel, dompet, dan kunci rumah ada di dalamnya. Tasnya ransel hitam.
My phone, wallet, and house keys were inside. The bag is a black backpack.
What you'll learn
- File a calm, structured report with the officer
- Narrate an incident in chronological order
- Provide ID and contact information clearly
- Understand the next steps and a case number
- Ask for an interpreter if you need one
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for an interpreter at a Indonesian police station?
Yes — it's your right in most countries. The scenario teaches the phrase 'Could I have an interpreter, please?'.
How formal should my Indonesian be at a police station?
Very formal — full sentences, formal 'you', complete answers. The scenario uses formal register throughout.
What past tense should I use to describe what happened in Indonesian?
Most Indonesian languages use a specific past tense for narrative events. The scenario uses it consistently so you absorb the pattern.
What's the Indonesian for 'I'd like to file a report'?
A specific construction included in the vocabulary list — it's the standard opener you'll want to memorise.