Indonesian Reading Passages
Bahasa Indonesia is spoken by more than 200 million people and serves as the official language of Indonesia, a country with over 700 local languages. It was chosen as a unifying tongue after independence, bridging the archipelago’s diverse ethnic and linguistic communities. Its relatively simple grammar and lack of verb conjugations make it accessible for learners. The language is central to Indonesia’s media, education, and government, but it also coexists with rich local traditions. From Jakarta’s bustling streets to Bali’s cultural centers, Indonesian acts as a common thread tying together a nation celebrated for its linguistic and cultural diversity.
Free CEFR-graded Indonesian readings with English translations, vocabulary support, and text-to-speech practice.
Available Indonesian passages
- A High School Student's Day Beginner 1 - Daily Routine
- An Office Worker's Routine Beginner 1 - Daily Routine
- Grandpa's Morning in the Village Beginner 1 - Daily Routine
- Family Dinner Beginner 1 - Family & Friends
- Playing with Friends in the Park Beginner 1 - Family & Friends
- Visiting Relatives Beginner 1 - Family & Friends
- Breakfast with Nasi Uduk Beginner 1 - Food & Drink
- Buying Fruit at the Market Beginner 1 - Food & Drink
- Drinking Teh Botol Beginner 1 - Food & Drink
- An Apartment in Jakarta Beginner 1 - Home & Living
- Helping with Chores at Home Beginner 1 - Home & Living
- My House Beginner 1 - Home & Living
- At the Mini Market Beginner 1 - Numbers, Money, Shopping
- Bargaining at the Market Beginner 1 - Numbers, Money, Shopping
- Paying with Cash Beginner 1 - Numbers, Money, Shopping
- At the Bus Terminal Beginner 1 - Travel Basics
- Flying to Bali Beginner 1 - Travel Basics
- Taking the Angkot Beginner 1 - Travel Basics
- Dry Season in Bali Beginner 1 - Weather & Seasons
- The Rainy Season Beginner 1 - Weather & Seasons
- Thunderstorms Beginner 1 - Weather & Seasons
- Neighborhood in Jakarta Beginner 2 - Community & City Life
- Traditional Market Day Beginner 2 - Community & City Life
- Village Celebration Day Beginner 2 - Community & City Life
- Buying Medicine at the Pharmacy Beginner 2 - Health & The Body
- Practicing Pencak Silat for Health Beginner 2 - Health & The Body
- Visiting the Clinic Beginner 2 - Health & The Body
- Playing Badminton Beginner 2 - Hobbies & Free Time
- Reading at the Library Beginner 2 - Hobbies & Free Time
- Watching Dangdut Beginner 2 - Hobbies & Free Time
- Indonesia's Independence Day Beginner 2 - Holidays & Traditions
- Nyepi Day in Bali Beginner 2 - Holidays & Traditions
- Ramadan Fasting: A Day in My Life Beginner 2 - Holidays & Traditions
- First Day of Middle School Beginner 2 - School & Education
- School Trip to Borobudur Beginner 2 - School & Education
- Study Skills for Exams Beginner 2 - School & Education
- A Weekend in Bandung Beginner 2 - Travel Experiences
- Trip to Lake Toba Beginner 2 - Travel Experiences
- Visiting Yogyakarta for the First Time Beginner 2 - Travel Experiences
- A Day as a Motorcycle Taxi Driver Beginner 2 - Work & Professions
- The Rice Farmer Beginner 2 - Work & Professions
- The Teacher Beginner 2 - Work & Professions
- An Evening Watching a Wayang Show Intermediate 1 - Culture & Entertainment
- Music Festival in Jakarta Intermediate 1 - Culture & Entertainment
- Visiting Borobudur Intermediate 1 - Culture & Entertainment
- Applying for a Job: My Plan and Experience Intermediate 1 - Education & Career
- Dreaming of Becoming a Doctor Intermediate 1 - Education & Career
- Studying Abroad in Australia: My Journey Intermediate 1 - Education & Career
- Hiking Mount Rinjani Intermediate 1 - Environment & Nature
- Plastic Pollution in Bali Intermediate 1 - Environment & Nature
- Protecting the Rainforest in Kalimantan Intermediate 1 - Environment & Nature
- A Family Gathering with Soto Intermediate 1 - Food & Cooking
- Cooking Rendang at Home Intermediate 1 - Food & Cooking
- Street Food in Jakarta Intermediate 1 - Food & Cooking
- Getting Around and Ordering with Gojek Intermediate 1 - Media & Technology
- Social Media in Indonesia Intermediate 1 - Media & Technology
- Watching News on TV Intermediate 1 - Media & Technology
- Community Spirit in Bali Intermediate 1 - Relationships & Society
- Family Traditions in Java Intermediate 1 - Relationships & Society
- Making Friends at University: Small Steps that Matter Intermediate 1 - Relationships & Society
- A Day at a Jakarta Shopping Mall Intermediate 1 - Shopping & Consumerism
- Buying Souvenirs in Bali Intermediate 1 - Shopping & Consumerism
- Exploring a Traditional Batik Market Intermediate 1 - Shopping & Consumerism