What Does “Ngopi” Mean in Indonesian?
“Ngopi” is a casual Indonesian word that means “to drink coffee.”
It comes from the word “kopi” (coffee), with the prefix “ngo-” added to show a casual, everyday action.
Just like English speakers say “grabbing coffee” or “having a coffee,” Indonesians naturally say ngopi in daily conversation.
☕ How Indonesians Use “Ngopi”
In Indonesia, ngopi is more than just drinking coffee — it’s often about
chilling, socializing, or taking a short break.
People might say:
- “Ayo ngopi dulu.”
Let’s grab some coffee first. - “Aku lagi ngopi.”
I’m having coffee. - “Besok kita ngopi bareng yuk.”
Let’s get coffee together tomorrow.
So the word often carries a sense of relaxing or catching up with friends.
☕ Is “Ngopi” Formal or Informal?
Ngopi is informal.
It’s perfect for everyday conversations, chatting with friends, or talking casually.
In formal situations (e.g., in an office meeting), Indonesians usually say:
- minum kopi (to drink coffee)
But in most real-life situations, ngopi is the word you’ll hear.
☕ Cultural Note
Indonesia has a strong coffee culture — from traditional kopi tubruk to trendy coffee shops.
Because of this, ngopi has become a big part of daily life, especially in cities like Jakarta, Bandung, and Bali.
When someone invites you to ngopi, it can mean:
- catching up,
- having a casual meeting,
- or simply relaxing after work.
It’s not always about the coffee itself — it’s about spending time together.
☕ Example Sentences
- Aku suka ngopi pagi-pagi.
I like drinking coffee in the morning. - Mereka sering ngopi bareng setiap weekend.
They often grab coffee together every weekend. - Dia ngajak aku ngopi setelah kerja.
He invited me to grab coffee after work.
