Meaning
Taking a trip for leisure.
Cultural Background
Indonesians love 'wisata kuliner' (culinary tourism) while they 'pergi liburan'. The trip is often centered around what food they will eat at the destination. During the 'Lebaran' holiday, millions of people 'pergi liburan' and 'mudik' simultaneously, leading to massive traffic jams called 'macet total'. Bali is the top destination for 'pergi liburan'. However, locals also 'pergi liburan' to other islands like Lombok or Java to escape the tourist crowds. The term 'healing' has become a synonym for 'pergi liburan' among Gen Z and Millennials in Jakarta, often implying a trip to nature to fix mental burnout.
Drop the 'Pergi'
In very casual chat, you can just say 'Mau liburan ke mana?' and people will understand you perfectly.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'ke' (to) for the destination. Never 'di' (at) when you are talking about the act of going.
Meaning
Taking a trip for leisure.
Drop the 'Pergi'
In very casual chat, you can just say 'Mau liburan ke mana?' and people will understand you perfectly.
Preposition Alert
Always use 'ke' (to) for the destination. Never 'di' (at) when you are talking about the act of going.
Oleh-oleh
If you tell your Indonesian friends you are 'pergi liburan', be prepared for them to ask for 'oleh-oleh' (souvenirs)!
Tense Markers
Indonesian doesn't change the verb. Just add 'sudah' (already) or 'akan' (will) in front of 'pergi'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'I want to go on vacation'.
Saya mau ____ liburan.
'Pergi' is the verb used with 'liburan' to mean going on a trip.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'He is on vacation'?
Pilih kalimat yang benar:
'Sedang' indicates the action is happening now, and 'pergi liburan' is the correct collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kamu mau ke mana? B: Saya mau ____ ____ ke Bali.
Bali is a famous vacation destination, so 'pergi liburan' fits best.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the airport with a suitcase. What do you say?
Airports and suitcases are symbols of 'liburan'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Vacation Essentials
Barang
- • Koper
- • Paspor
- • Kamera
Tempat
- • Hotel
- • Villa
- • Resor
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSaya mau ____ liburan.
'Pergi' is the verb used with 'liburan' to mean going on a trip.
Pilih kalimat yang benar:
'Sedang' indicates the action is happening now, and 'pergi liburan' is the correct collocation.
A: Kamu mau ke mana? B: Saya mau ____ ____ ke Bali.
Bali is a famous vacation destination, so 'pergi liburan' fits best.
You are at the airport with a suitcase. What do you say?
Airports and suitcases are symbols of 'liburan'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in almost any situation. For very formal writing, use 'berlibur'.
No, that sounds like you are going to a place called 'Liburan'. Just say 'pergi liburan'.
'Libur' is the root/adjective (off/free). 'Liburan' is the noun (vacation/holiday).
No, Indonesian rarely uses plural forms for abstract nouns. Context tells the story.
Yes, 'pergi liburan' works for any leisure trip, long or short.
You can say 'Saya sedang liburan' or 'Saya sedang pergi liburan'.
'Jalan-jalan' is more casual and can mean just walking around, while 'pergi liburan' implies a planned trip.
It's a slang term borrowed from English used by young people to mean 'pergi liburan' for mental health.
Yes, though 'bulan madu' is the specific term for honeymoon.
Always 'pergi liburan'. The verb comes first.
Related Phrases
Jalan-jalan
similarTo go for a stroll or travel casually
Berlibur
synonymTo take a vacation
Pelesir
specialized formTo go on a pleasure trip
Mudik
specialized formTo go back to one's hometown
Cuti
builds onLeave / Time off work
