Practice Your First Day at Work in Indonesian
Your first day in a Indonesian-speaking workplace is overwhelming: new names, new processes, new acronyms, and a language register you've rarely practised. This scenario rehearses the introductions, the polite questions to ask HR, the small talk in the break room, and the moment when someone asks you to do something you don't quite understand. You'll learn the Indonesian verbs for office life ('to onboard', 'to set up', 'to ramp up'), and the polite formulas for asking questions without seeming lost.
Sample Indonesian conversation
Selamat pagi! Kamu pasti anggota tim baru. Selamat datang! Saya Linguarudo, ketua tim kamu. Bagaimana perasaanmu?
Good morning! You must be the new team member. Welcome! I'm Linguarudo, your team lead. How are you feeling?Agak gugup, tapi sangat bersemangat untuk mulai!
A bit nervous, but really excited to start!Saya ajak keliling ya! Ini area kantor utama. Dapur dan ruang istirahat di ujung lorong. Mau mulai dari mana?
Let me give you a tour! Here's the main office area. The kitchen and break room are down the hall. Where would you like to start?Di mana meja saya? Saya ingin langsung siap-siap.
Where is my desk? I'd love to get set up.Ini mejamu! Komputernya sudah siap. Tim IT akan datang untuk mengatur akun dan email. Ada yang lain?
Here's your desk! Your computer is ready. IT will come by to set up your accounts and email. Do you need anything else?Bagus! Apa kata sandi Wi-Fi-nya?
This looks great! What's the Wi-Fi password?
What you'll learn
- Introduce yourself to a team in Indonesian
- Ask HR about logistics, badges, and contracts
- Make break-room small talk without anxiety
- Ask 'Could you walk me through that?' politely
- Find your bearings in a new office's vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
How do I introduce myself to a new team in Indonesian?
A 30-second intro — name, role, where you came from, one personal detail — works universally. The scenario rehearses the phrasing.
What if I don't understand my new colleague's Indonesian?
Use 'Sorry, I'm still learning — could you say that again more slowly?' Most colleagues will be patient and switch to clearer speech. The scenario teaches the soft version.
How do I ask about office logistics in Indonesian?
Specific vocabulary for 'badge', 'meeting room booking', 'expense reports', etc. is in the word list.
Should I use formal Indonesian on my first day?
Yes — start formal and let colleagues invite you to switch. The scenario uses formal register throughout the workday.