Chinese Loanwords in the Indonesian Language

Chinese loanwords in the Indonesian language are spread everywhere in most of every corner of the Indonesian region. Since Indonesian Chinese are the part of Indonesian tribes that riches the Indonesian culture, that makes sense the language affiliated to them such as one of the popular ethnic groups in Aceh.

Chinese Indonesian becomes one of the famous tribes in Indonesia so many years ago. They have their Chinese language that becomes easily heard by Indonesian. That makes Indonesian sometimes accidentally use their language that made a Chinese loanword in the Indonesian language well known easily.

Chinese Indonesian are known living in Indonesia for so many years ago. That makes there are so many of them that live in most Indonesian regions. The facts make their Chinese loanwords in the Indonesian language in society. It even appears in some of the common girl names in Indonesia and common boy names in Indonesia.

For so many years, Chinese Indonesian lived happily and peacefully among other Indonesian as well such as one of the popular best Indonesian actor stars. That makes the language becomes easier to affiliate, which makes Indonesian has Chinese loanwords in the Indonesian language for their daily life.

Speaking of it, this time we have some of the most popular Chinese loanwords in the Indonesian language below. Let’s see of them below!

No.	Indonesia Loanword	Chinese origin	Meaning
1	Acik	A-che	Older women, it can be elder sister or aunt
2	Amoi	A-Moen	Chinese girl
3	Amsiong	Am-siong	Broken, internal injury, bad luck
4	Anglo	Hang-lo	Stove, furnace
5	Angpau	Ang Pao	The red envelope that usually filled with money in Chinese New Year
6	Bakiak	Bak Kiah	A sandal that made of wood
7	Bakpia	Bah pian	Related to pia snack
8	Bacang	Bak Cang	Kind of sticky rice dumpling
9	Bakpau	Bah pau	Kind of bun
10	Bakso	Bah kiu	Meatball
11	Bakwan	Bah-oan	Bala-Bala, a type of snack made of wheat that is deep-fried properly
12	Becak	Be-Chhia	Cycle rickshaw
13	Bokek	But-chi	Moneyless, broke
14	Ceban	Chit ban	Related to IDR10000
15	Cepek	Chit peh	Related to IDR100
16	Cukong	Tsu kong	Capitalist
17	Capgome	Chap-go-me	Festival in Chinese New Year
18	Cawan	Chawan	Cup
19	Cicik	Chia-chia	Older sister
20	Dim sum	Dim-sam	Dumpling snack
21	Ebi	He-bi	Dried prawns
22	Engkoh	A-ko	Older brother
23	Engkong	A-kong	Paternal/ maternal Grandfather
24	Engku	A-ku	Maternal uncle
25	Gincu	Gin-Cu	Lipstick
26	Giwang	Ngi-van	Earring
27	Gocap	Go-chap	Related to IDR50
28	Gopek	Go-pah	Related to IDR500
29	Hoki	Hok-khi	Good fortune
30	Imlek	Im-liak	Chinese lunar
31	Jibun	Sip-hun	Extremely, much in the amount
32	Jicap	Ji-chap	Twenty
33	Kakak	Koko	Older brother
34	Kamsia	Kam-Sia	Thank you
35	Kecap	Ke-zap	Soy sauce
36	Kecoak	Ka-Choah	Cockroach
37	Kerangkeng	Long-Keng	Prison, jail, cage
38	Klenteng	Koan-Im-Teng	Guanyin temple
39	Kong hu Cu	Kong hu Cu	Confucius
40	Kongkalikong	Kong ka li kong	Public shares your discussion
41	Kongko	Kong ko	Tell stories, chat with others, hang out
42	Kue	Koe	Cake
43	Koyo	Kau yok	Medical patch
44	Letoi	Lek Thoe	Weak, related to tiredness
45	Lobak	Lo Baak	Radish
46	Lonceng	Loan cheng	Bell ring
47	Lontong	Longtong	Typical rice that wrapped in banana leaf
48	Mihun	Mi hun	Glass noodles
49	Nyonya	Noeng ja	Madame
50	Obeng	O hong	Skrewdriver
51	Papa	Pa pah	Father
52	Pecun	Pe Chun	Dragon boat festivals
53	Pengki	Pun ki	Dustpan
54	Pisau	Pi Siu	Knife
55	Siong	Sion	Cigarette of incense
56	Suhu	Su-hu	Master
57	Taci	Toa Che	Older sister
58	Tahu	Tau hu	Tofu
59	Tangki	Thang Chir	Container
60	The	Te	Tea
61	Teko	Tee o	Teapot
62	Toko	Tho Kho	small shop
63	Ubin	Iu bin	Surface
64	Micin	Mei zing	Glutamate flavoring
65	Woi	Oeh	Hello

So, there are some of the most popular Chinese loanwords in the Indonesian language. Have you ever heard them all? Which one that become your favorite so far?