Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Adjectives-and-Adverbs

◀️ Days, Months, and Seasons — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Questions and Answers ▶️

Indonesian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Sentence Structure → Adjectives and Adverbs

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on adjectives and adverbs in the Indonesian language! In this lesson, we will explore how to use adjectives and adverbs to add descriptions and provide more information in your sentences. Adjectives and adverbs are important elements of sentence structure that help to convey meaning and express ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Understanding how to use adjectives and adverbs correctly will enable you to communicate more effectively in Indonesian, whether you are describing people, places, things, or actions. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in using adjectives and adverbs, and you will be able to incorporate them into your sentences with confidence.

Let's get started!

Adjectives in Indonesian

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. In Indonesian, adjectives are generally placed after the noun they describe. However, they can also be placed before the noun for emphasis or to create a specific effect. Adjectives in Indonesian do not change form based on gender or number, making them relatively easy to use compared to some other languages.

Here are some examples of adjectives in Indonesian:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
rumah besar	/ˈrumah ˈbəsar/	big house
mobil merah	/ˈmobil ˈmərɑh/	red car
pakaian baru	/pəˈkɑiˌan ˈbaru/	new clothes
makanan enak	/məˈkɑnən ˈɛnɑk/	delicious food

As you can see from the examples above, the adjectives come after the noun they describe. However, it is also possible to place the adjective before the noun to create emphasis or a specific effect. For example:

• "Besar rumah" (big house) emphasizes the size of the house.
• "Merah mobil" (red car) emphasizes the color of the car.

It is important to note that when an adjective is used before a noun, a hyphen (-) is often used to connect the adjective and the noun. For example:

• "Rumah yang besar" (a big house)
• "Mobil yang merah" (a red car)

In these examples, the adjective is connected to the noun with a hyphen to indicate that they are closely related.

Adverbs in Indonesian

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide additional information about how an action is performed, the degree of an adjective, or the manner in which something is done. Adverbs in Indonesian usually end in "-ly" or "-mente" in English, but in Indonesian, they do not have a specific ending.

Here are some examples of adverbs in Indonesian:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
cepat	/ˈtʃɛpɑt/	quickly
baik	/ˈbaɪək/	well
hati-hati	/ˈhati-ˈhati/	carefully
sama-sama	/ˈsama-ˈsama/	equally

As you can see from the examples above, adverbs in Indonesian do not have a specific ending like "-ly" or "-mente" in English. They can be used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and they provide additional information about the action, quality, or manner being described.

Negation with "Tidak"

In Indonesian, negation is often expressed using the word "tidak," which means "not." It is used to negate verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. "Tidak" is placed before the word or phrase that is being negated.

Here are some examples of negation using "tidak":

• "Saya tidak makan" (I do not eat)
• "Dia tidak tinggi" (He/she is not tall)
• "Kamu tidak cepat" (You are not fast)

In these examples, "tidak" is used to negate the verb "makan" (eat), the adjective "tinggi" (tall), and the adverb "cepat" (fast).

It is important to note that when "tidak" is used to negate an adjective or an adverb, it is usually placed before the adjective or adverb. However, when "tidak" is used to negate a verb, it is usually placed before the verb.

Intensifiers with "Sangat"

In Indonesian, intensifiers are used to express a high degree or intensity of an adjective or adverb. One common intensifier in Indonesian is the word "sangat," which means "very" or "extremely." "Sangat" is placed before the adjective or adverb that it modifies.

Here are some examples of intensifiers using "sangat":

• "Dia sangat cantik" (She is very beautiful)
• "Makanan itu sangat enak" (That food is very delicious)
• "Pekerjaan ini sangat sulit" (This job is very difficult)

In these examples, "sangat" is used to intensify the adjective "cantik" (beautiful), the adverb "enak" (delicious), and the adjective "sulit" (difficult).

By using intensifiers like "sangat," you can add emphasis and convey a stronger or more extreme meaning in your sentences.

Comparison with "Lebih" and "Paling"

In Indonesian, comparisons are made using the words "lebih" and "paling," which mean "more" and "most" respectively. These words are used to compare two or more things, and they are placed before the adjective or adverb that is being compared.

Here are some examples of comparisons using "lebih" and "paling":

• "Dia lebih tinggi dari saya" (He/she is taller than me)
• "Buku ini lebih bagus dari buku itu" (This book is better than that book)
• "Pertandingan itu paling seru" (That match is the most exciting)

In these examples, "lebih" is used to compare the adjective "tinggi" (tall) and the adjective "bagus" (good), while "paling" is used to compare the adjective "seru" (exciting).

By using "lebih" and "paling," you can express comparisons and highlight the differences or similarities between two or more things.

Practice Exercise

Now that you have learned about adjectives and adverbs in Indonesian, it's time to practice! Use the vocabulary and grammar you have learned to complete the following exercise. Translate the English sentences into Indonesian, making sure to use the correct adjectives and adverbs.

1. The cat is very cute. 2. I am not tired. 3. The movie was more interesting than the book. 4. She speaks Indonesian fluently. 5. This restaurant has the best food in town.

Take your time and do your best. When you're ready, you can check your answers below.

Exercise Answers

1. Kucing itu sangat lucu. 2. Saya tidak capek. 3. Film itu lebih menarik dari bukunya. 4. Dia berbicara bahasa Indonesia lancar. 5. Restoran ini memiliki makanan terbaik di kota.

Well done! You have completed the exercise successfully. Keep practicing to further improve your skills in using adjectives and adverbs in Indonesian.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson on adjectives and adverbs in Indonesian! In this lesson, you have learned how to use adjectives and adverbs to add descriptions and provide more information in your sentences. You have also learned about negation with the word "tidak," intensifiers with the word "sangat," and comparisons with the words "lebih" and "paling."

By incorporating adjectives and adverbs into your sentences, you will be able to express yourself more effectively and communicate your ideas more clearly in Indonesian. Practice using adjectives and adverbs in different contexts to further enhance your language skills.

In the next lesson, we will explore questions and answers in Indonesian, allowing you to engage in conversations and gather information. Terima kasih dan sampai jumpa! (Thank you and see you later!)

Table of Contents - Indonesian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pronouns and Greetings

• Personal Pronouns
• Greetings and Introductions

  ---

Basic Grammar

• Word Order
• Indonesian Nouns
• Verbs in Indonesian

  ---

Daily Life

• Basic Phrases
• Numbers and Time
• Days, Months, and Seasons

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Questions and Answers
• Negation and Affirmation

  ---

Indonesian Culture

• Indonesian Festivals
• Indonesian Food

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Transportation
• Directions

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Shopping and Bargaining

• Basic Shopping Phrases
• Bargaining Strategies

  ---

Indonesian Arts

• Indonesian Music
• Indonesian Dance

  ---

Modal Verbs

• Can and Must
• May and Should

  ---

Colors and Shapes

• Colors
• Shapes

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative
• Superlative

  ---

Indonesian Traditions

• Indonesian Weddings
• Indonesian Batik

  ---

Emergencies

• Medical Emergencies
• Natural Disasters

  ---

Indirect and Direct Speech

• Direct Speech
• Indirect Speech

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Job Titles
• Workplaces

  ---

Indonesian Holidays

• Indonesian Independence Day
• Idul Fitri

Sources

• Indonesian/Grammar/Adjectives - Wikibooks, open books for an ...
• The Basics of Indonesian Sentence Structure & Word Order
• Indonesian Adjectives

Other Lessons

• Future Tense
• Comparative
• Negation and Affirmation
• Adjectives
• Present Tense
• May and Should
• Prepositions
• Possessive Cases in Indonesian
• Weather in Indonesian
• Past Participle in Indonesian

◀️ Days, Months, and Seasons — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Questions and Answers ▶️