Phrase in 30 Seconds
Jalan-jalan is the ultimate Indonesian term for any movement done purely for pleasure, from strolling to vacationing.
- Means: Leisurely walking, hanging out, or traveling for fun.
- Used in: Weekend plans, holiday stories, and inviting friends out.
- Don't confuse: It's not for commuting or walking to a specific task.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Leisurely walking or traveling for fun.
Contexto cultural
Car Free Day (CFD) every Sunday morning on Sudirman-Thamrin is the peak 'jalan-jalan' experience. Thousands of people walk, cycle, and eat street food. Malioboro Street is the most famous place for 'jalan-jalan' in Jogja. It's a mix of shopping, street performance, and historical atmosphere. The term 'JJS' (Jalan-Jalan Sore) was popularized by a 1980s song and remains a staple of teenage life—going out in the late afternoon to meet friends. The word 'healing' is now often used as a synonym for 'jalan-jalan' when the goal is to reduce stress from work or study.
The '2' Shortcut
When texting Indonesian friends, save time by writing 'jalan2'. They will appreciate your local texting style!
Not for Exercise
If you tell an Indonesian 'Saya jalan-jalan 10km tadi pagi,' they will think you had a very long, slow shopping trip, not a workout.
The '2' Shortcut
When texting Indonesian friends, save time by writing 'jalan2'. They will appreciate your local texting style!
Not for Exercise
If you tell an Indonesian 'Saya jalan-jalan 10km tadi pagi,' they will think you had a very long, slow shopping trip, not a workout.
The 'Saja' Combo
Pair it with 'saja' (just) to sound more natural: 'Cuma jalan-jalan saja' (Just strolling/hanging out).
Oleh-oleh Expectation
If you tell people you are 'jalan-jalan' to a specific city, be prepared for them to ask for snacks from that city when you return!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'jalan'.
Hari Minggu, saya dan keluarga mau _______ ke Kebun Binatang.
Since it's a leisure trip to the zoo, 'jalan-jalan' is the correct phrase.
Which sentence is correct for a formal report?
Choose the formal version:
Formal Indonesian requires the 'ber-' prefix for this verb.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the mall and don't want to buy anything. You say:
'Jalan-jalan' is the standard way to say you are just browsing or hanging out.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wah, kamu baru pulang dari Jepang ya? B: Iya, kemarin habis _______ di sana selama dua minggu.
When talking about a vacation or trip, 'jalan-jalan' is the most natural choice.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Jalan-jalan vs. Jalan Kaki
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosHari Minggu, saya dan keluarga mau _______ ke Kebun Binatang.
Since it's a leisure trip to the zoo, 'jalan-jalan' is the correct phrase.
Choose the formal version:
Formal Indonesian requires the 'ber-' prefix for this verb.
You are at the mall and don't want to buy anything. You say:
'Jalan-jalan' is the standard way to say you are just browsing or hanging out.
A: Wah, kamu baru pulang dari Jepang ya? B: Iya, kemarin habis _______ di sana selama dua minggu.
When talking about a vacation or trip, 'jalan-jalan' is the most natural choice.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes! In Indonesia, 'jalan-jalan' refers to the purpose (leisure), not the method. You can 'jalan-jalan naik mobil' (go for a drive).
Only in formality. 'Berjalan-jalan' is for books and formal speeches; 'jalan-jalan' is for everything else.
It stands for 'Jalan-Jalan Sore' (Afternoon Stroll), a popular cultural activity to enjoy the cooler air before sunset.
No, that would sound unprofessional. Use 'perjalanan dinas' or 'tugas kantor'.
You can say 'jalan-jalan di mal' or use the idiom 'cuci mata'.
In formal writing, yes. In casual texting, people often use 'jalan2' or just a space.
You can, but culturally it's seen as a social activity. If you're alone, people might ask 'Sama siapa?' (With whom?).
No, it can mean traveling to another country or city by any means of transport.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'diam di rumah' (staying at home) is the alternative.
For a light hike, yes. For a serious mountain climb, use 'mendaki gunung'.
Yes, it's one of the first phrases you learn to describe your hobbies.
Say 'Cuma jalan-jalan saja' or 'Lihat-lihat saja'.
Frases relacionadas
Jalan kaki
similarTo walk (on foot)
Cuci mata
similarWindow shopping
Pelesir
synonymTo go on a pleasure trip
Liburan
builds onVacation
Nongkrong
similarHanging out
Keliling-keliling
similarGoing around
Dónde usarla
At the Mall
A: Lagi apa di sini?
B: Cuma jalan-jalan saja sama pacar.
Planning a Weekend
A: Sabtu besok mau ke mana?
B: Mau jalan-jalan ke Kebun Binatang.
Returning from Vacation
A: Wah, kulitmu jadi cokelat!
B: Iya, habis jalan-jalan dari Lombok.
Inviting a Date
A: Malam minggu ada acara?
B: Belum ada. Kenapa?
A: Jalan-jalan yuk!
At the Office (Casual)
A: Pusing ya? Ayo jalan-jalan ke depan sebentar.
B: Boleh, cari kopi ya.
Social Media Caption
User: Foto pemandangan: 'Jalan-jalan hari ini seru banget! #blessed'
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Jalan' as a single step. When you double it to 'Jalan-Jalan', you're taking many steps for fun!
Asociación visual
Imagine a pair of flip-flops (sandal jepit) walking aimlessly on a sandy beach under a palm tree. The two sandals represent the two 'jalans'.
Rhyme
Jalan-jalan ke kota, hati senang mata terbuka.
Story
Budi was tired of his 'jalan' (road) to work. So on Saturday, he decided to double the 'jalan' and go 'jalan-jalan' to the zoo. He didn't have a map, he just wanted to see the monkeys.
In Other Languages
Similar to the Spanish 'pasear' or the Japanese 'sanpo', but broader because it includes long-distance travel.
Word Web
Desafío
Next time you go out for coffee or a walk, post a photo on social media with the caption 'Lagi jalan-jalan sebentar.'
Review this phrase every time you plan your weekend!
Pronunciación
The 'j' is like the 'j' in 'jump'. The 'a' is open like in 'father'.
There is no pause between the two words; they flow as one unit.
Espectro de formalidad
Saya sedang berjalan-jalan di taman. (Daily activity)
Saya lagi jalan-jalan di taman. (Daily activity)
Gue lagi jalan-jalan di taman nih. (Daily activity)
Lagi JJS di taman. (Daily activity)
Derived from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root *zalan, meaning 'path' or 'to go'. Reduplication is a native grammatical feature of Austronesian languages used to express variety, aimlessness, or playfulness.
Dato curioso
In Indonesian, you can 'jalan-jalan' using a car, a boat, or even a plane—the word 'jalan' (walk) doesn't limit you to your feet!
Notas culturales
Car Free Day (CFD) every Sunday morning on Sudirman-Thamrin is the peak 'jalan-jalan' experience. Thousands of people walk, cycle, and eat street food.
“Ayo kita ke CFD besok untuk jalan-jalan pagi!”
Malioboro Street is the most famous place for 'jalan-jalan' in Jogja. It's a mix of shopping, street performance, and historical atmosphere.
“Belum ke Jogja kalau belum jalan-jalan di Malioboro.”
The term 'JJS' (Jalan-Jalan Sore) was popularized by a 1980s song and remains a staple of teenage life—going out in the late afternoon to meet friends.
“Anak-anak muda itu sedang asyik JJS.”
The word 'healing' is now often used as a synonym for 'jalan-jalan' when the goal is to reduce stress from work or study.
“Butuh jalan-jalan ke Bali buat healing nih.”
Inicios de conversación
Akhir pekan ini kamu mau jalan-jalan ke mana?
Apa tempat favoritmu untuk jalan-jalan di kota ini?
Kalau punya banyak uang, kamu mau jalan-jalan ke negara mana?
Menurutmu, lebih enak jalan-jalan sendiri atau bersama teman?
Errores comunes
Saya jalan-jalan ke kantor setiap pagi.
Saya jalan kaki ke kantor setiap pagi.
L1 Interference
Saya mau jalan jalan.
Saya mau jalan-jalan.
L1 Interference
Dia sedang berjalan-berjalan.
Dia sedang berjalan-jalan.
L1 Interference
Saya jalan-jalan 5 kilometer untuk olahraga.
Saya jalan cepat/lari 5 kilometer untuk olahraga.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Pasear
'Jalan-jalan' covers international vacations, whereas 'pasear' is usually local.
Se promener
French has more specific verbs for different types of walking (errer, flâner) that Indonesian often groups under 'jalan-jalan'.
Spazieren gehen
German is limited to walking; Indonesian includes all modes of leisure transport.
Sanpo (散歩)
Japanese uses 'ryokou' for travel, while Indonesian can use 'jalan-jalan' for both a walk and a trip.
Tannazah (تنزه)
Arabic often implies a destination like a garden, while 'jalan-jalan' can be just the act of moving.
Sàn bù (散步)
Chinese 'sàn bù' is almost exclusively for walking, not for 'going to the mall' or 'traveling to Bali'.
Sanchaek (산책)
Like Japanese and Chinese, it doesn't extend to large-scale tourism like 'jalan-jalan' does.
Passear
Indonesian 'jalan-jalan' is more frequently used as a general answer for 'what are you doing?'
Spotted in the Real World
“Jalan-jalan ke luar kota, lepaskan penat yang ada.”
A popular song about escaping the city stress by taking a trip.
“Kita jalan-jalan keliling Jogja ya.”
The main characters explore the city of Yogyakarta together.
“#jalanjalanmen”
A viral hashtag from a popular travel web series.
“Mereka sering jalan-jalan menyusuri pantai Belitong.”
Describing the childhood of the characters in Belitung.
“Malam ini kita akan jalan-jalan mencari kuliner unik.”
A variety show about night-time food and activities.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'jalan-jalan' for any time they are on their feet.
If you have a destination (like work or school), use 'jalan kaki'. If you are wandering, use 'jalan-jalan'.
Both involve the word 'jalan'.
'Perjalanan' is a noun meaning 'journey' or 'trip'. 'Jalan-jalan' is a verb/activity.
Preguntas frecuentes (12)
Yes! In Indonesia, 'jalan-jalan' refers to the purpose (leisure), not the method. You can 'jalan-jalan naik mobil' (go for a drive).
usage contextsOnly in formality. 'Berjalan-jalan' is for books and formal speeches; 'jalan-jalan' is for everything else.
grammar mechanicsIt stands for 'Jalan-Jalan Sore' (Afternoon Stroll), a popular cultural activity to enjoy the cooler air before sunset.
cultural usageNo, that would sound unprofessional. Use 'perjalanan dinas' or 'tugas kantor'.
common mistakesYou can say 'jalan-jalan di mal' or use the idiom 'cuci mata'.
practical tipsIn formal writing, yes. In casual texting, people often use 'jalan2' or just a space.
grammar mechanicsYou can, but culturally it's seen as a social activity. If you're alone, people might ask 'Sama siapa?' (With whom?).
cultural usageNo, it can mean traveling to another country or city by any means of transport.
basic understandingThere isn't a direct opposite, but 'diam di rumah' (staying at home) is the alternative.
comparisonsFor a light hike, yes. For a serious mountain climb, use 'mendaki gunung'.
usage contextsYes, it's one of the first phrases you learn to describe your hobbies.
basic understandingSay 'Cuma jalan-jalan saja' or 'Lihat-lihat saja'.
practical tips
