Ambil uang
Withdraw money
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'ambil uang' whenever you need to withdraw cash from an ATM or a bank teller in Indonesia.
- Means: To withdraw cash from a bank account or ATM.
- Used in: Daily errands, shopping at traditional markets, or preparing for travel.
- Don't confuse: With 'mencuri uang' (stealing) or 'mencari uang' (earning a living).
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
Getting cash from a bank or ATM
Kultureller Hintergrund
Indonesians often use 'ATM Bersama,' a network that allows you to withdraw money from different banks for a small fee. You will see this logo everywhere. When 'ambil uang' at an ATM, it is polite to stand at least one meter behind the person using the machine to give them privacy. In Indonesia, it's common for security guards (Satpam) to open the door for you at an ATM booth. It is polite to nod or say 'Terima kasih.' Despite the rise of apps like GoPay and OVO, many small vendors still prefer cash. Always 'ambil uang' before going to a remote area or a local village. During the 'Lebaran' holiday, banks set up mobile vans specifically so people can 'ambil uang baru' (withdraw new bills) to give to children.
Check the Denomination
Indonesian ATMs usually give either 50,000 or 100,000 bills. Look for a sticker on the machine before you 'ambil uang' to know what you'll get.
Safety First
Always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. ATM skimming can happen in tourist areas.
Bedeutung
Getting cash from a bank or ATM
Check the Denomination
Indonesian ATMs usually give either 50,000 or 100,000 bills. Look for a sticker on the machine before you 'ambil uang' to know what you'll get.
Safety First
Always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. ATM skimming can happen in tourist areas.
The 'Duit' Factor
If you want to sound like a local in Jakarta, say 'Narik duit' instead of 'Ambil uang.'
Small Change
After you 'ambil uang,' try to break a 100,000 bill at a minimarket (like Alfamart) so you have small change for parking and tips.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the phrase.
Saya mau ____ uang di ATM.
The standard phrase for withdrawing money is 'ambil uang'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you need cash for the market?
Choose the best option:
'Ambil uang' is the natural way to express needing to withdraw cash.
Match the Indonesian phrase with its English meaning.
Match these:
These are the four core banking actions in Indonesian.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Aduh, dompetku kosong.' | B: 'Tenang, di depan ada ATM. Kamu bisa ____ ____ di sana.'
If the wallet is empty, you need to 'ambil uang' (withdraw money).
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Where would you say 'Saya mau ambil uang'?
You need to withdraw money if you are at a restaurant and realize you don't have cash.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, it is a neutral and perfectly polite phrase for all daily situations.
Yes, though 'mengambil uang' (formal) is slightly better when speaking to staff.
'Tarik tunai' is the technical term on machines; 'ambil uang' is what people actually say.
No, unless you add context like 'dia ambil uang saya tanpa izin' (he took my money without permission).
You say: 'Saya perlu ambil uang.'
Yes, usually 5-15 million Rupiah per day depending on your bank card.
You can say: 'ATM-nya rusak, tidak bisa ambil uang.'
Technically yes, but since Indonesia rarely uses coins for large amounts, it almost always refers to paper bills.
Not rude, just very informal. Use it with friends, not with your boss.
In casual speech, no. In formal writing, use 'mengambil'.
Indonesian doesn't change verbs for tense. Just add 'sudah' (already): 'Sudah ambil uang.'
No, for a loan use 'pinjam uang'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tarik tunai
specialized formCash withdrawal
Setor tunai
contrastCash deposit
Cari uang
similarTo earn a living
Tukar uang
similarTo exchange money
Pinjam uang
similarTo borrow money
Habiskan uang
contrastTo spend/waste money
Wo du es verwendest
At a traditional market
Learner: Maaf Bu, saya tidak ada uang tunai.
Seller: Waduh, di sini tidak bisa pakai kartu, Mas.
Learner: Saya ambil uang dulu di depan ya.
In a taxi
Learner: Pak, bisa mampir ke ATM sebentar?
Driver: Boleh, mau ambil uang ya?
Learner: Iya, saya perlu uang pas untuk bayar.
With a friend
Friend: Ayo makan siang!
Learner: Tunggu sebentar, aku mau ambil uang dulu.
Friend: Oke, aku tunggu di mobil.
At the bank counter
Teller: Selamat siang, ada yang bisa saya bantu?
Learner: Saya ingin mengambil uang dari tabungan saya.
Teller: Boleh saya lihat buku tabungan dan KTP-nya?
Asking for directions
Learner: Permisi, di mana saya bisa ambil uang?
Local: Ada ATM di dalam minimarket itu, Kak.
Learner: Terima kasih banyak!
Splitting a bill
Colleague: Totalnya seratus ribu.
Learner: Aku belum ambil uang hari ini. Bisa aku transfer saja?
Colleague: Boleh, pakai QRIS saja.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ambil' as 'Amble' (walking slowly). You 'Amble' to the ATM to get 'Uang' (which sounds like 'Wonga' - British slang for money).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant hand reaching into an ATM slot and pulling out a stack of bright red 100,000 Rupiah bills. The hand is 'taking' (ambil) the 'money' (uang).
Rhyme
Ambil uang, hati senang! (Take money, heart is happy!)
Story
Budi wanted to buy satay at the street corner. He realized his wallet was empty. He ran to the ATM, said 'Ambil uang!' to the machine, and got his cash just in time for dinner.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Next time you are at a shop, ask the cashier: 'Di mana ATM terdekat? Saya mau ambil uang.' (Where is the nearest ATM? I want to take money.)
In Other Languages
Sacar dinero
Spanish often uses 'sacar' while Indonesian uses 'ambil' (take) or 'tarik' (pull).
Retirer de l'argent
French is more consistent with 'retirer' while Indonesian shifts between 'ambil' and 'tarik'.
Geld abheben
The physical metaphor of 'lifting' vs 'taking'.
お金を下ろす (Okane o orosu)
Indonesian focuses on the 'taking' action, Japanese on the 'lowering' action.
سحب المال (Suhub al-mal)
Arabic is closer to the formal 'tarik' than the casual 'ambil'.
取钱 (Qǔ qián)
Almost identical in usage and simplicity.
돈을 뽑다 (Doneul ppopda)
The Korean verb implies a more forceful 'pulling out' than 'ambil'.
Sacar dinheiro
Usage is nearly identical in everyday life.
Easily Confused
Both involve 'taking' money.
Ambil is legitimate; Mencuri is illegal. Never use 'mencuri' for your own bank account!
Sounds similar to 'mengambil uang'.
Mencari (looking for) means working a job. Ambil (taking) means withdrawing what you already have.
FAQ (12)
Yes, it is a neutral and perfectly polite phrase for all daily situations.
Yes, though 'mengambil uang' (formal) is slightly better when speaking to staff.
'Tarik tunai' is the technical term on machines; 'ambil uang' is what people actually say.
No, unless you add context like 'dia ambil uang saya tanpa izin' (he took my money without permission).
You say: 'Saya perlu ambil uang.'
Yes, usually 5-15 million Rupiah per day depending on your bank card.
You can say: 'ATM-nya rusak, tidak bisa ambil uang.'
Technically yes, but since Indonesia rarely uses coins for large amounts, it almost always refers to paper bills.
Not rude, just very informal. Use it with friends, not with your boss.
In casual speech, no. In formal writing, use 'mengambil'.
Indonesian doesn't change verbs for tense. Just add 'sudah' (already): 'Sudah ambil uang.'
No, for a loan use 'pinjam uang'.
