Indonesian · English · B1–B2
Intermediate Indonesian short stories, side by side with English (B1–B2)
Stories written for readers past the basics: everyday Indonesian at a natural pace, with the English beside every paragraph.
5 free intermediate stories in Indonesian
Each one opens in your browser with no account, the Indonesian and the English side by side, paragraph by paragraph, shortest first. Every story is also a free Indonesian–English ebook for Kindle, Kobo or any e-reader: downloading needs a free account, no payment (which file to pick).
The stories at this level come from Cerita Sederhana, original Indonesian stories written for the library.
Open the intermediate Indonesian–English stories in the library, where you can search them and switch to another level or pair.
- B1

Bukan untuk Jonas
Not for Jonas
Cerita Sederhana · Story 10 · Indonesian · 15 min
DuoText original - B1

Pesan dari Hari Esok
Tomorrow’s Message
Cerita Sederhana · Story 9 · Indonesian · 15 min
DuoText original - B1

Kamar 13
Room 13
Cerita Sederhana · Story 7 · Indonesian · 15 min
DuoText original - B1

Belum Sekarang
Not Yet
Cerita Sederhana · Story 6 · Indonesian · 15 min
DuoText original - B1

Kesabaran Pasang Surut
Tidewait
Cerita Sederhana · Story 8 · Indonesian · 20 min
DuoText original
What intermediate Indonesian stories are like
These stories are written for B1 readers: longer than beginner stories, with dialogue, the past tenses and the everyday phrases that textbooks leave out, and a plot that carries you to the end.
The vocabulary is wider and the sentences longer than at A2. With the English next to each paragraph, none of that has to stop you.
How to read Indonesian at B1–B2
Read in Indonesian, check in English
At B1–B2 you can usually follow the Indonesian on its own. Keep your eyes on it and look across only when a sentence doesn’t land, rather than reading both sides line by line.
Let the plot pull you
These stories were written to be enjoyed. If you want to know how it ends, you will read faster and remember more, so pick the one whose first page grabs you.
Notice the tenses
Stories are told in the past, and the Indonesian past tenses carry meaning the English sometimes flattens. Comparing the two sides is the quickest way to feel the difference.
More on the method in how to read a parallel text.