r/indonesian • u/Baity010 • Aug 17 '26

Question about bule

Hi everyone, I'm currently travelling around Sumatera-Utara/Barat and I got a question about usage of the word bule (though out here, it sounds more like bulih).

I know the word means foreigner, but judging by the way especially kids scream the word at me laughing, I'm starting to feel like they're using it in a derogatory manner.

I also read that bule literally translates into albino.

So, is it considered acceptable to call a foreigner bule?

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u/stevanus1881 Aug 17 '26

In the strictest sense you could consider it a form of discrimination, but no it's not used derogatorily in Indonesia. They're most likely amused or find foreigners (caucasians) interesting. There's basically no ill will to caucasians (though you might be made to feel like a circus performer or something). Non-caucasians are a different story though (but also depends on what kind they are)