Formal and Informal Letters, Emails, or Messages

Formal Letters, Emails, or Messages

Introduction: Always mention the purpose of the message within the first few sentences; stating the point of the letter at the outset helps the reader understand the context.
Salutation: Start with a formal salutation such as ‘Yang terhormat’ (Dear). If you know the name of the recipient, even better - e.g., ‘Yang terhormat, Bapak/Ibu [Surname]’.
Body: Use courteous and professional language throughout; avoid colloquial expressions and slang. Be concise and stay on topic.
Conclusion: Provide a succinct summary or conclusion; restate the purpose if necessary and clearly articulate any necessary next steps or actions.
Sign Off: End the letter with a formal sign-off such as ‘Hormat saya’ (Yours sincerely) or ‘Terima kasih’ (Thank you).

Introduction: You can be more relaxed with your opener in informal messages, feeling free to address the recipient by their first name or a nickname.
Salutation: Use a casual greeting such as ‘Hai’ (Hi) or ‘Halo’ (Hello).
Body: Feel free to use more relaxed language, but still aim to be respectful and polite. Colloquial language and idiomatic expressions are acceptable in this context.
Conclusion: Wind up the conversation naturally; you might want to express hope of hearing from them soon or looking forward to a future event.
Sign Off: Casual sign-offs can be used - ‘Sampai jumpa’ (See you later) or simply ‘Bye’.

At the heart, the difference between formal and informal communication is the level of politeness and respect shown.
Formal messages tend to have a set structure and use more sophisticated vocabulary, where as informal messages allow more flexibility and expressiveness.
Knowing when to use formal and informal Indonesian is vital; factors to consider include who you’re writing to and the reason you’re writing.

Ensure correct spelling and grammar always; mistakes can diminish the impact and credibility of the message.
In a formal letter, use the prefix ‘Bapak’ or ‘Ibu’ where appropriate; informal communication can use the first name.
Steer clear of using too many English words in the formal context; in informal contexts, some English words are accepted and widely used.
To negate a verb in Indonesian, the word ‘tidak’ (no) is placed before the verb; important to keep in mind while forming sentences.

Formal letters require the sender’s address, the recipient’s address, and the date; whereas informal does not require the addresses.
Introduce yourself in the first paragraph if the recipient does not already know you.
Conclude your letter with your name; in a formal letter, also include your title if relevant.