Grammar


 If you are enthusiastic to start learning the Indonesian language, the best way is knowing something about the Grammar.
 Here you find information of the most important rules of the Indonesian language.
 Every grammatical rule is explained in a clear, and simple way, with several examples.
 Remember that learning grammar is only one part of learning a language.
 Learning examples that will help you how to speak or write is the best way to learn.

 There is a lot to learn about the Indonesian grammar we picked out a few important topics.

 Verbs

 Pronouns / determiners

 How to use the word : ada

 The use of negatives : Tidak and bukan

 Verbs


 Most often it is not necessary to translate the verb: to be in the indonesian language.
 For example

 I am thirsty    :   Saya haus.
 He is sleepy    :   Ia menganuk
 They are ill     :   Mereka sakit
 This is a bus   :   Ini bis

 In the Indonesian language you just add the whole verb after the infinite.

 I eat                   -Saya makan
 you eat               -kamu makan
 he/she/it eats     -ia makan
 we eat                -kita/kami makan
 you eat               -kalian makan
 they eat              -meraka makan

 In the indonesian language we only use the basic verb in informal or if it is a command  For example : buka = open.
 buka pintu = open the door

 If you use this verb in combination with a grammatical agent you add -me, -mem or -men, -meng before the verb
 I open the door : Saya membuka pinta.

 I you use a past participle in a sentence you add -di before the verb
 Pintunya sudah dibuka oleh saya : I already opened the door.

 Examples of verbs with an additional -me (the first letter of the verb starts with m,n,ny,l,r,w or y)
 For example :
 lompat - melompat = to jump
 mulai - memulai = to begin
 mancing - memancing = to fish

 If the word starts with a -p the -p changes in an -m
 For example :
 pilih - memilih = to choose
 potong - memoting = to cut

 If the word starts with a -t the -t changes in an -n
 For example :
 tulis - menulis = to read
 tulis - menulis = to read

 Examples of verbs with an additional -mem (the first letter of the verb starts with b or f)
 buka - membuka = to open
 bawa - membawa = to carry

 Examples of verbs with an additional -men (the first letter of the verb starts with c, d or j)
 cari - mencari = to search
 dapat - mendapat = to get

 Examples of verbs with an additional -meng (the first letter of the verb starts with a,e,o,u,i,g,h, or kh)
 gambar - menggambar = to draw
 hitung - menghitung = to count

 Conjugation
 In the Indonesian Language there is no conjugation as we know this in English.
 For example : In the English language I play becomes I played in the past.
 Instead of this In indonesia they use a word or expression of finished time.

 For example: yesterday, last year, already
 Present : Bapak tidur - Father sleeps
 Past : Kemarin Bapak tidur : Father slept yesterday
 Future : Besok Bapak bekerja : Father will work tomorrow.

 Pronouns


 In the indonesian language pronoun means : gata ganti
 Personal pronoun
 Saya : I
 Kamu : you
 (d)ia : He/She/It
 kami : We
 kalian : you
 mereka : they

 The personal pronoun becomes after the noun. if the pronoum is after a word it becomes a possesive pronoun
 For example:
 Saya John : I am John
 Nama saya John : My name is John

 Who, This, That
 ini = this and itu = that and who = siapa
 mobil ini saya : This is my car.
 rumah itu paman saya : That is my uncle his house.
 Siapa ini? : Who is this?

 How to use the word : ada

 Ada is an important word in the indonesian language

 It is used when you want to say something about : to be, to be present.
 For Example:
 Ibu ada di rumah : Mother is at home
 Ada lampu di meja : There is a lamp on the table.
 Ada orang : Thera is someone.

 It can also be used when you want to say something like : to have in stock, to be available, to have
 Ada roti? : Do we have bread?
 Kami ada mobil : We have a car
 Ada dokter? : Is there a dokter?

 The use of negatives : Tidak and bukan

 The word tidak can mean No as well as Not and can be used for verbs and adverbs.
 For Example:
 Ibu Ada? : Is mother there?
 Tidak ada : No she is not
 John datang? : Is John coming?
 Tidak, ia tidak datang : No, he is not coming

 The word bukan means Not and is used in sentences where you want to say something like : is it not, did he not?
 Ia sudah tahu, bukan? : He knew it, did he not?
 Ini piring bersih bukan? : This plate is clean is it not?