Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Indirect-Speech

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Indonesian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Indirect and Direct Speech → Indirect Speech

In this lesson, we will focus on learning how to use indirect speech in Indonesian. Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used to convey someone else's words or thoughts without quoting them directly. This is an important skill to master as it allows you to report conversations, statements, or questions in a more descriptive and accurate manner.

Indirect speech is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as storytelling, interviews, and everyday conversations. By using indirect speech, you can effectively communicate what someone said or asked without resorting to direct quotations.

Indirect speech in Indonesian follows specific rules and structures. In this lesson, we will explore the use of indirect speech in the present tense. We will provide clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging exercises to help you understand and practice this grammar concept. Let's dive in!

The Structure of Indirect Speech in Indonesian

Indirect speech in Indonesian involves several key elements: 1. Reporting verb: This is the verb that introduces the reported speech and indicates that someone said or asked something. Common reporting verbs in Indonesian include "berkata" (said), "bertanya" (asked), "menyatakan" (stated), and "meminta" (requested). 2. Reporting clause: This is the part of the sentence that contains the reporting verb and connects the reported speech to the main clause. It often starts with the word "bahwa" (that). 3. Reported speech: This is the actual words, statements, or questions that someone said or asked. It is enclosed in quotation marks in direct speech but does not require them in indirect speech. 4. Changes in verb forms: When reporting speech, verb forms may change depending on the tense and the relationship between the speaker and the reported speech. We will discuss these changes in detail later in this lesson.

Let's look at some examples to understand the structure of indirect speech in Indonesian:

Example 1

Direct speech: "Saya suka makan nasi goreng." (I like eating fried rice.) Indirect speech: Dia berkata bahwa dia suka makan nasi goreng. (He/she said that he/she likes eating fried rice.)

In this example, the reporting verb is "berkata" (said), the reporting clause is "bahwa dia" (that he/she), and the reported speech is "suka makan nasi goreng" (likes eating fried rice).

Example 2

Direct speech: "Apakah kamu sudah makan?" (Have you eaten?) Indirect speech: Dia bertanya apakah kamu sudah makan. (He/she asked if you have eaten.)

In this example, the reporting verb is "bertanya" (asked), the reporting clause is "apakah kamu" (if you), and the reported speech is "sudah makan" (have eaten).

Now that we understand the basic structure of indirect speech in Indonesian, let's explore some specific rules and examples in more detail.

Indirect Speech in Present Tense

When reporting speech in the present tense, there are a few important changes to be aware of in Indonesian. These changes involve verb forms, pronouns, and adverbs. Let's examine each of these elements separately.

Changes in Verb Forms

In indirect speech, verb forms may change depending on the tense of the reported speech and the relationship between the speaker and the reported speech. In the present tense, the following changes occur:

1. Present tense verb -> Present tense verb

  Example: "Saya makan nasi goreng." (I eat fried rice.)
           -> Dia mengatakan bahwa dia makan nasi goreng. (He/she says that he/she eats fried rice.)

2. Present continuous tense verb -> Present tense verb

  Example: "Saya sedang makan nasi goreng." (I am eating fried rice.)
           -> Dia mengatakan bahwa dia makan nasi goreng. (He/she says that he/she eats fried rice.)

3. Present perfect tense verb -> Present tense verb

  Example: "Saya sudah makan nasi goreng." (I have eaten fried rice.)
           -> Dia mengatakan bahwa dia makan nasi goreng. (He/she says that he/she eats fried rice.)

4. Present perfect continuous tense verb -> Present tense verb

  Example: "Saya sudah sedang makan nasi goreng." (I have been eating fried rice.)
           -> Dia mengatakan bahwa dia makan nasi goreng. (He/she says that he/she eats fried rice.)

Note: In indirect speech, the present tense is used to report both the present and the future.

Changes in Pronouns

When reporting speech, pronouns may change depending on the relationship between the speaker and the reported speech. Here are the pronoun changes that occur in the present tense:

1. "Saya" (I) -> "Dia" (He/She) 2. "Kamu" (You) -> "Dia" (He/She) 3. "Kita" (We) -> "Mereka" (They)

Changes in Adverbs

Adverbs of time and place may also change when reporting speech in the present tense. Here are some common changes:

1. "Sekarang" (Now) -> "Kemarin" (Yesterday) 2. "Di sini" (Here) -> "Di sana" (There)

These changes in adverbs are used to reflect the reported speech in relation to the time and place of the reporting.

Let's look at some examples to see these changes in action:

Example 1

Direct speech: "Saya sedang belajar bahasa Indonesia." (I am learning Indonesian.) Indirect speech: Dia mengatakan bahwa dia belajar bahasa Indonesia. (He/she says that he/she is learning Indonesian.)

In this example, the verb form "sedang" (am) is changed to the present tense verb "belajar" (learns) in indirect speech. The pronoun "saya" (I) is changed to "dia" (he/she), and the adverb "sekarang" (now) is omitted.

Example 2

Direct speech: "Kamu sudah makan?" (Have you eaten?) Indirect speech: Dia bertanya apakah dia sudah makan. (He/she asked if he/she has eaten.)

In this example, the pronoun "kamu" (you) is changed to "dia" (he/she) in indirect speech. The verb form "sudah" (have) remains the same, and the adverb "sekarang" (now) is changed to "apakah" (if).

Now that we have covered the changes in verb forms, pronouns, and adverbs, let's move on to some practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech.

1. Direct speech: "Saya suka makan bakso." (I like eating meatballs.) 2. Direct speech: "Kamu belajar di mana?" (Where do you study?) 3. Direct speech: "Kita sudah bermain sepak bola." (We have played soccer.)

Solution: 1. Indirect speech: Dia mengatakan bahwa dia suka makan bakso. (He/she says that he/she likes eating meatballs.) 2. Indirect speech: Dia bertanya di mana kamu belajar. (He/she asked where you study.) 3. Indirect speech: Mereka mengatakan bahwa mereka sudah bermain sepak bola. (They say that they have played soccer.)

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms, pronouns, and adverbs.

1. Direct speech: "Saya ______________ (tidur) saat ini." (I am sleeping now.) 2. Direct speech: "Kamu ______________ (pergi) ke mana?" (Where are you going?) 3. Direct speech: "Kita ______________ (menyukai) musik Indonesia." (We like Indonesian music.)

Solution: 1. Indirect speech: Dia mengatakan bahwa dia tidur saat ini. (He/she says that he/she is sleeping now.) 2. Indirect speech: Dia bertanya ke mana kamu pergi. (He/she asked where you are going.) 3. Indirect speech: Mereka mengatakan bahwa mereka menyukai musik Indonesia. (They say that they like Indonesian music.)

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on indirect speech in Indonesian. By understanding and practicing this grammar concept, you are now able to report conversations, statements, or questions more accurately and effectively. Keep practicing and incorporating indirect speech in your Indonesian language skills to further enhance your fluency and communication abilities.

Indonesian Culture: Regional Variations in Indirect Speech

Indonesia is a diverse country with various regional languages and cultures. While the rules and structures of indirect speech in Indonesian remain consistent across the country, there may be differences in the usage or understanding of this grammar concept in different regions.

For example, in Javanese culture, which is predominant in Central Java and Yogyakarta, indirect speech is highly valued and often used to convey respect and politeness. Javanese people tend to use more elaborate reporting verbs and expressions when reporting speech, emphasizing the importance of social hierarchy and courtesy.

In contrast, in Sumatran culture, which encompasses various ethnicities such as Batak, Minangkabau, and Acehnese, direct speech is more commonly used in everyday conversations. People in Sumatra tend to be more direct and straightforward in their communication style, which is reflected in their use of direct quotations rather than indirect speech.

These regional variations in the usage and understanding of indirect speech add richness and diversity to the Indonesian language. It is fascinating to explore how cultural factors influence language usage and shape the way people communicate.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored the structure and usage of indirect speech in Indonesian. We have learned about the key elements of indirect speech, including reporting verbs, reporting clauses, and reported speech. We have also discussed the changes in verb forms, pronouns, and adverbs when reporting speech in the present tense.

Through clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging practice exercises, you have gained a solid understanding of how to use indirect speech effectively in Indonesian. Remember to continue practicing and incorporating indirect speech in your language skills to enhance your fluency and communication abilities.

As you progress in your Indonesian language learning journey, you will encounter more complex grammar concepts and linguistic nuances. Stay curious, embrace the cultural richness of Indonesia, and enjoy the process of mastering the Indonesian language.

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 → Indirect and Direct Speech → Direct Speech

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Negation
• How to Use Have
• Give your Opinion
• Questions and Answers
• Indefinite Articles in Indonesian
• How to Use Be
• Conditional Mood
• Indonesian Nouns
• Present Tense

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