Learn Iban Online with the Vocabo Chrome Extension
Master Vocabulary While You Browse — Free, No Sign-Up
Master Iban vocabulary while browsing the web. Free Chrome extension for language learners. Iban is spoken by estimated 700,000 to 2 million people. Iban is the language of Sarawak's largest indigenous group and opens up access to a living longhouse culture and oral epic tradition still practiced in rural Borneo.
249+ Languages
Learn Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, and 249+ other languages powered by Google Translate.
Completely Free
No premium tiers, no subscriptions, no ads. Language learning should be accessible to everyone.
No Sign Up!
Install and start learning immediately. Your vocabulary stays on your device for complete privacy.
About Iban
Iban had no dedicated writing system of its own until Dunging anak Gunggu, a rubber tapper with no formal education, invented an 82-character Iban syllabary between 1947 and 1962. It is still used by a small number of enthusiasts today alongside the more common Latin alphabet.
Also known as: Sea Dayak
Speakers
estimated 700,000 to 2 million
Language Family
Austronesian (Malayic branch)
Writing System
Latin alphabet
Difficulty
Medium
Spoken in
Why Learn Iban?
Iban is the language of Sarawak's largest indigenous group and opens up access to a living longhouse culture and oral epic tradition still practiced in rural Borneo.
Common Iban Words
Start your Iban journey with these essential words and phrases.
tabi'
Hello, greetings
ai
Water
eye
rumah
House
ROO-mah
kaban
Friend
KAH-bahn
sayau
To love
SAH-yow
utai empak
Food
OO-tai em-PAHK
rumah panjai
Longhouse
ROO-mah PAHN-jai
Jaku Iban
The Iban language
JAH-koo EE-bahn
History of Iban
The Iban originated along the Kapuas river system in what is now West Kalimantan and migrated into Sarawak in waves from around the 16th century onward, gradually becoming its largest indigenous population. Under the Brooke family's Sarawak dynasty in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Iban were widely known to the British as 'Sea Dayaks' for their historical reputation as river and coastal raiders, and Iban trackers later served in the British and Malaysian security forces, including the Sarawak Rangers. Traditional Iban social life centers on the longhouse (rumah panjai), a single long structure shared by many families under one elected headman (Tuai Rumah).
Is Iban Hard to Learn?
Iban is closely related to Malay and shares much of its straightforward, non-tonal sound system and Latin spelling, which makes pronunciation relatively approachable for English speakers. The main difficulty is grammatical: Iban distinguishes inclusive 'we' (me and you) from exclusive 'we' (me and others, not you), and marks singular, dual, and plural separately in its pronouns, distinctions English does not make at all.
Learning Iban Online: FAQ
Can I learn Iban online for free?
Yes — Vocabo is a free Chrome extension that teaches you Iban vocabulary while you browse the web. It replaces words and short phrases on pages you already read with their Iban equivalents, so you pick up vocabulary passively — no sign-up, no ads, and no daily lesson grind.
Is Iban on Duolingo?
No — Duolingo doesn't currently offer a Iban course for English speakers. You can still learn Iban online for free: Vocabo supports Iban and builds your vocabulary naturally while you browse.
Similar Languages to Iban
If you're interested in Iban, you might also want to explore these related languages:
Start Learning Iban Today
Install Vocabo and begin building your Iban vocabulary while browsing the web. No sign-up required!
Add to Chrome