Orang asing
Stranger / Foreigner
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Orang asing' to describe someone you don't know or someone from another country.
- Means: Both 'stranger' and 'foreigner' depending on the context.
- Used in: Meeting new people, travel documents, or safety warnings.
- Don't confuse: With 'orang aneh', which means a 'weird person'.
Explanation at your level:
المعنى
A person you do not know.
خلفية ثقافية
Indonesians are generally very welcoming to 'orang asing'. It is common to be asked personal questions like 'Where are you going?' (Mau ke mana?) as a form of greeting, not prying. In Bali, 'orang asing' are so common that the culture has adapted to them. However, there is a distinction between 'turis' (tourists) and 'ekspat' (expats who live there). In Javanese culture, there is a concept of 'tamu' (guest). An 'orang asing' is often treated as a guest of the village, requiring a high level of formal politeness (unggah-ungguh). In the capital, 'orang asing' is often associated with 'Tenaga Kerja Asing' (Foreign Workers). The interaction is more professional and less community-based than in rural areas.
Polite usage
When in doubt, use 'orang asing' instead of 'bule'. It is always respectful and safe.
Don't say 'Asing orang'
Remember the Indonesian word order: Noun then Adjective. It's 'Person Foreign', not 'Foreign Person'.
المعنى
A person you do not know.
Polite usage
When in doubt, use 'orang asing' instead of 'bule'. It is always respectful and safe.
Don't say 'Asing orang'
Remember the Indonesian word order: Noun then Adjective. It's 'Person Foreign', not 'Foreign Person'.
Context is King
If you are at an airport, it means foreigner. If you are in a dark alley, it means stranger.
The 'Bule' Factor
You will hear 'bule' a lot. It's okay to hear it, but as a learner, using 'orang asing' shows a higher level of linguistic maturity.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Dia bukan teman saya. Dia adalah ____.
Since the person is not a friend, 'orang asing' (stranger) is the logical choice.
Which sentence means 'Many foreigners live in Jakarta'?
Choose the best translation:
'Orang asing' is the correct term for foreigners, and the word order is Noun + Adjective.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the immigration office. Which term will they use for you?
Immigration deals with 'Foreign Nationals' (WNA) or 'Orang asing'.
Complete the dialogue.
Anak: 'Ibu, siapa itu?' Ibu: 'Jangan mendekat, itu ____.'
The mother is warning the child about someone they don't know.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formal vs. Informal
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it is a neutral and descriptive term. It is the standard way to refer to someone unknown or foreign.
Usually, no. For someone from another city, 'pendatang' or 'orang luar' is more common. 'Orang asing' implies a deeper level of 'otherness'.
'Orang asing' is everyday language. 'WNA' (Warga Negara Asing) is the formal, legal acronym used by the government.
There isn't a direct rhyme, but parents say 'Waspada terhadap orang asing' (Be alert toward strangers).
Yes, but it can also mean 'isolated' or 'strange' in other contexts, like 'terasing' (isolated).
No, that would be 'teman lama' (old friend). Using 'orang asing' would imply you have completely forgotten them and they are now a stranger.
It can be both. Context usually tells you. If you want to be specific about plural, say 'orang-orang asing'.
'Bule' is a very common casual label for Westerners. It's like being called 'mate' or 'guy'—it's usually not mean, just very informal.
No, for objects you would just use 'asing' or 'aneh'. For example, 'benda asing' (foreign object).
For foreigners, 'tamu mancanegara' (international guest) is very polite and often used in tourism.
عبارات ذات صلة
Warga Negara Asing
specialized formForeign National
Bule
specialized formWhite foreigner
Pendatang
similarNewcomer / Immigrant
Orang luar
synonymOutsider
Tamu
contrastGuest
Kenalan
contrastAcquaintance
أين تستخدمها
At the Airport
Petugas: Apakah Anda orang asing?
Turis: Ya, saya dari Australia.
Teaching a Child
Ibu: Budi, jangan bicara dengan orang asing.
Budi: Baik, Bu.
In a Small Village
Warga 1: Ada orang asing di rumah Pak RT.
Warga 2: Oh, mungkin itu tamu dari kota.
At a Party
Teman: Kamu kenal dia?
Saya: Tidak, dia orang asing bagi saya.
Reading the News
Berita: Banyak orang asing bekerja di sini.
Pembaca: Wah, peraturannya harus ketat.
Feeling Lonely
Pasien: Saya merasa seperti orang asing di sini.
Dokter: Ceritakan lebih lanjut perasaan Anda.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Orange' (Orang) and 'Asking' (Asing). An 'Orange' is 'Asking' a stranger for directions.
Visual Association
Imagine a person (Orang) standing in front of a giant question mark (Asing) because you don't know who they are or where they are from.
Rhyme
Orang asing, jangan pusing. (Stranger, don't be dizzy/confused.)
Story
A traveler (Orang) arrives in a 'Strange' (Asing) land. He is an 'Orang Asing' to the locals, and every local he meets is an 'Orang Asing' to him until they share a cup of coffee.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Go to a public place and identify three 'orang asing' (strangers). In your head, say 'Itu orang asing' for each one.
In Other Languages
Desconocido / Extranjero
Indonesian uses one phrase for both 'stranger' and 'foreigner'.
Inconnu / Étranger
French 'Étranger' can also mean 'strange' as an adjective, similar to 'asing'.
Fremder / Ausländer
German is much more specific about nationality vs. familiarity.
知らない人 (Shiranai hito) / 外国人 (Gaikokujin)
Japanese requires different words based on the 'inside/outside' social group logic.
غريب (Gharib) / أجنبي (Ajnabi)
Arabic 'Gharib' has a stronger connotation of 'weird' or 'mysterious' than 'asing'.
陌生人 (Mòshēng rén) / 外国人 (Wàiguó rén)
Chinese focuses on the 'unfamiliarity' of the person for strangers.
낯선 사람 (Natseon saram) / 외국인 (Oegugin)
Korean uses a descriptive adjective 'natseon' (unfamiliar) for strangers.
Desconhecido / Estrangeiro
Indonesian 'orang asing' is more common in daily speech than 'estrangeiro' is in casual Portuguese.
Easily Confused
Learners think 'strange' (asing) and 'strange' (aneh) are the same.
Use 'asing' for someone you don't know; use 'aneh' for someone acting weird.
Both mean someone not from 'here'.
'Orang luar' is more about group membership (e.g., outside the company), 'orang asing' is about identity.
الأسئلة الشائعة (10)
No, it is a neutral and descriptive term. It is the standard way to refer to someone unknown or foreign.
Usually, no. For someone from another city, 'pendatang' or 'orang luar' is more common. 'Orang asing' implies a deeper level of 'otherness'.
'Orang asing' is everyday language. 'WNA' (Warga Negara Asing) is the formal, legal acronym used by the government.
There isn't a direct rhyme, but parents say 'Waspada terhadap orang asing' (Be alert toward strangers).
Yes, but it can also mean 'isolated' or 'strange' in other contexts, like 'terasing' (isolated).
No, that would be 'teman lama' (old friend). Using 'orang asing' would imply you have completely forgotten them and they are now a stranger.
It can be both. Context usually tells you. If you want to be specific about plural, say 'orang-orang asing'.
'Bule' is a very common casual label for Westerners. It's like being called 'mate' or 'guy'—it's usually not mean, just very informal.
No, for objects you would just use 'asing' or 'aneh'. For example, 'benda asing' (foreign object).
For foreigners, 'tamu mancanegara' (international guest) is very polite and often used in tourism.
