Berapa Lama?
How Long?
'Lama' = 'long' (time). Perfect for asking how long a trip or wait will take.
Learn to ask "How long?" in Indonesian with "Berapa Lama?" This practical travel phrase in Bahasa Indonesia helps you estimate journey times, wait times, and durations -- essential knowledge for planning your day when traveling across Indonesia's vast archipelago.
💬Example Sentences
Berapa lama ke bandara dari sini?
How long to the airport from here?
Berapa lama menunggu?
How long is the wait?
Berapa lama perjalanan ke Ubud?
How long is the journey to Ubud?
🏭Cultural Context
Time in Indonesia operates on what is affectionately known as "jam karet" or "rubber time." Schedules are flexible, and estimates of "berapa lama" should be taken as approximate. A journey estimated at "tiga puluh menit" (thirty minutes) might take an hour in Jakarta traffic, or a meeting scheduled for 2pm might start at 2:30pm. This relaxed approach to time is not considered rude -- it reflects the Indonesian value of flexibility and going with the flow. However, this is changing in professional settings, especially in major cities. When asking "berapa lama?" about travel time, it is wise to add extra buffer time, particularly during rush hours and in traffic-heavy cities.