Bahasa Indonesia @indolessons.com
Asking basic questions
Halo, apa kabar?
In this lesson we will:
- learn how to ask basic questions
- describe personal experiences
- describe places we've been to
Vocabulary, Grammar and Language Points
- Modal verbs mau, suka
- Adjectives bagus, enak
- Tense adverbs sudah, pernah, sedang/lagi, akan
- Syntax: (time adjunct) S (aux) V O (place adjunct)
- Name of months
- Time phrases (tahun lalu, bulan lalu, minggu lalu, dua hari yang lalu)
Key activites:
Watch and discuss a video about asking basic questions
Learn and practise vocabulary and phrases about asking and answering basic questions
Learn about Indonesian cultural practices
Learn and practise Indonesian numbers
Test our knowledge and complete Kahoot! activities
Previous lesson recap
How would you answer these questions?
Kamu suka kegiatan apa?
Bu/Pak... suka kegiatan apa?
Makanan favoritmu apa?
Makanan favorit Bu/Pak... apa?
Pagi-pagi biasanya sarapan apa?
Keluarga Bu/Pak... suka melakukan apa bersama?
Bu/Pak... suka ke bioskop?
Bu/Pak... sering ke pantai?
Asking and answering basic questions
Can you answer these questions?
In this lesson we will learn how to ask and answer basic questions in Indonesian. The following video excerpt of Sacha Stevenson's comedy is an entertaining and rich resource for learning about how to ask and answer basic questions in colloquial Indonesian. Let's watch and enjoy the video first. We'll analyse the language after.
This video not only shows the most basic way to ask and answer questions, but also raises awareness about Indonesian syntax, grammar and the traps of literal translations and learning grammar. Watch the video as many times as necessary to familiarise yourself with the vocabulary, syntax and intonation.
No-subject syntax
Notice that in the question below the subject 'you' is omitted from the question. This is very common in Indonesian. In this case there is also no verb. The verb pergi ('to go') is often also omitted and the preposition ke ('to') suffices.
The verb pergi ('to go') is often also omitted and the preposition ke ('to') suffices.
The omission of the verb 'to go' (pergi) is often heard in the common 'small talk' question that Indonesians ask when running into their mates:
Mau ke mana? or Lagi ke mana? ('Where are you going?').
The response to the question Pernah ke Bali ('Have you been to Bali') also does not need the subject 'I' stated.
These other examples from the clip demonstrate the same point about subject and/or verb omission in the syntax:
Note that in this above example there verb for 'speak' (bicara) is also omitted.
Bahasa Indonesia means 'Indonesian language', so English would be bahasa Inggris.
Repeating modal verb / adjective to say 'yes'
To say 'I can', simply say 'can'.
(A more polite reply of course would be, ...sedikit saja, masih belajar... 'just a little, still learning...')
Let's learn more about framing questions in Indonesia:
Enak kopinya?
'Nice coffee-the?'
Adjective + Noun-nya?
The question below uses the adjective enak ('nice/tasty'), followed by the noun/object in question and finalised by the determiner -nya, which in this case functions like the English definite article 'the'.
Here are some useful everyday adjectives:
Bagus - good (used for describing: item, appearance, effort (i.e. outward qualities))
Baik - good (used for describing: character, mood, thoughts (i.e. inner qualities))
Hebat - great (used for complimenting)
Besar - big
Kecil - small
Pintar - smart/clever
Bodoh - stupid
Lucu - funny
Ramah - friendly
Mahal - expensive
Murah - cheap
Lama - long (time duration)
Let's practise some 'Adjective + Noun-nya?'' questions.
Write a paragraph about activities that your family likes to do. Practise using the (When/where) S-V-O structure and include appropriate prepositions and frequency phrases. (+- 100 words)
Let's watch the video about Elly's family again.
This time we will understand more. Take notes of new details that you pick up, your tutor will ask questions to test your understanding.
