kamu

Kamu is a second-person pronoun used in Indonesian and Malay to mean "you" in informal, singular address. It is the common choice in everyday conversation among friends, family, and peers, and appears frequently in spoken language, dialogue in books, songs, and media.

In terms of register, kamu contrasts with Anda, which is the formal or polite form of “you.” Another informal form is kau, which can carry a more intimate or rough tone and is often used among close acquaintances or in certain regional or literary contexts. Because of its neutral but informal nuance, kamu is widely used in contemporary speech and writing, including social media and popular culture, while Anda remains preferred in formal situations, customer service, or official communication.

Kamu is singular in usage; for plural address to more than one person, Indonesian typically uses kalian. In addition, Indonesian pronouns can be influenced by social factors such as age, status, and crowding of formality, so speakers may choose antara kamu, kau, Anda, or other forms depending on relationship and context.

Across the Malay-speaking world, including Malaysia and Brunei, the pronoun kamu is understood and used, though regional preferences and politeness norms may favor other forms like awak or anda in formal situations. Overall, kamu functions as a versatile, informal stand-in for “you” in contemporary Indonesian and Malay, balancing familiarity with simplicity in everyday communication.