Inclusive vs. Exclusive 'we'

01

Kami: Excluding the Listener

Use kami when you want to say "we" in the sense of "me and someone else, but not you." This is known as the exclusive we.

Imagine you are talking to a friend about a trip you took with your family. Since your friend did not go on the trip, you must use kami. If you used kita, it would imply your friend was also on the trip with you.

• Kami tidur di hotel itu kemarin.

  We slept in that hotel yesterday.

• Kami tidak mengerti.

  We do not understand.

• Ibu memasak untuk kami.

  Mother cooks for us.

02

Kita: Including the Listener

Use kita when you want to say "we" in the sense of "you and I" or "all of us." This is known as the inclusive we.

This form is used when the speaker and the listener are in the same situation or performing the same action together. It is also used for general statements that apply to everyone, such as "we humans" or "our country."

• Kita harus berangkat sekarang.

  We have to leave now.

• Mobil kita mogok.

  Our car broke down.

• Jangan lupa, kita ada rapat jam tiga.

  Don't forget, we have a meeting at three o'clock.

03

Using 'Kita' for Suggestions

Because kita inherently includes the listener, it is the standard pronoun used when making suggestions or saying "let's" do something.

• Ayo kita makan!

  Let's eat!

• Mari kita berdoa.

  Let us pray.

04

Summary of Differences

To decide which word to use, ask yourself if the person you are speaking to is involved in the statement.

• Kami = I + Them (minus You)
• Kita = I + You (+ potentially others)

Consider a waiter approaching a table of two customers.

If one customer speaks to the waiter:

• Kami mau pesan nasi goreng.

  We want to order fried rice.

(The customer uses kami because the waiter is not ordering food with them).

If the customer speaks to their friend at the table:

• Nanti kita mau pesan apa?

  What do we want to order later?

(The customer uses kita because the friend is included in the decision).