Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Questions-and-Answers

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Indonesian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Sentence Structure → Questions and Answers

In this lesson, we will learn how to form questions and answers in Indonesian. Asking questions is an important part of communication and can help you gather information or clarify something. Similarly, providing answers is essential for effective communication. In Indonesian, there are several question words that are commonly used to form questions, such as "apa" (what), "siapa" (who), "bagaimana" (how), and "di mana" (where). These question words will be the focus of our lesson today. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to ask and answer questions using these question words in Indonesian.

Basic Questions[edit | edit source]

Let's start by learning how to form basic questions in Indonesian using the question word "apa" (what). This question word is used to ask about things, actions, or qualities. Here are some examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Apa ini?	Ah-pah ee-nee?	What is this?
Apa kamu suka?	Ah-pah kah-moo soo-kah?	What do you like?
Apa warna favoritmu?	Ah-pah war-nah fa-vor-it-moo?	What is your favorite color?

In the first example, "Apa ini?" means "What is this?" You can use this question to ask about the identity or nature of something. In the second example, "Apa kamu suka?" means "What do you like?" This question is used to inquire about someone's preferences or interests. Finally, in the third example, "Apa warna favoritmu?" means "What is your favorite color?" This question is asking about a specific quality or attribute.

Now, let's move on to the question word "siapa" (who). This question word is used to ask about people or identities. Here are some examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Siapa namamu?	See-ah-pah nah-mah-moo?	What is your name?
Siapa dia?	See-ah-pah dee-ah?	Who is he/she?
Siapa yang datang?	See-ah-pah yang dah-tahng?	Who is coming?

In the first example, "Siapa namamu?" means "What is your name?" This question is commonly used when meeting someone new. In the second example, "Siapa dia?" means "Who is he/she?" This question can be used to ask about the identity of a person. Lastly, in the third example, "Siapa yang datang?" means "Who is coming?" This question is used to inquire about the identity of the person who is coming.

The next question word we will learn is "bagaimana" (how). This question word is used to ask about the manner, condition, or way something is done. Here are some examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Bagaimana kabarmu?	Bah-gai-mah-nah kah-bar-moo?	How are you?
Bagaimana cara memasak ini?	Bah-gai-mah-nah cha-rah muh-muh-sahk ee-nee?	How do you cook this?
Bagaimana cuacanya hari ini?	Bah-gai-mah-nah choo-ah-cha-nya hah-ree ee-nee?	How is the weather today?

In the first example, "Bagaimana kabarmu?" means "How are you?" This is a common greeting and can be used to ask about someone's well-being. In the second example, "Bagaimana cara memasak ini?" means "How do you cook this?" This question is used to inquire about the method or way of doing something. Lastly, in the third example, "Bagaimana cuacanya hari ini?" means "How is the weather today?" This question is used to ask about the condition or state of the weather.

The last question word we will learn is "di mana" (where). This question word is used to ask about locations or places. Here are some examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Di mana kamu tinggal?	Dee mah-nah kah-moo ting-gahl?	Where do you live?
Di mana kamar mandinya?	Dee mah-nah kah-mar mahn-dee-nya?	Where is the bathroom?
Di mana restoran terdekat?	Dee mah-nah res-toh-rahn ter-deh-kaht?	Where is the nearest restaurant?

In the first example, "Di mana kamu tinggal?" means "Where do you live?" This question is commonly used to ask about someone's place of residence. In the second example, "Di mana kamar mandinya?" means "Where is the bathroom?" This question is used to inquire about the location of a specific place. Lastly, in the third example, "Di mana restoran terdekat?" means "Where is the nearest restaurant?" This question is used to ask about the location of a nearby restaurant.

Answering Questions[edit | edit source]

Now that we have learned how to ask questions using different question words, let's move on to answering questions in Indonesian. When answering a question, you can provide a simple one-word answer or a more detailed response depending on the situation. Here are some examples:

1. Simple one-word answers:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Apa itu?	Ah-pah ee-too?	That is.
Siapa dia?	See-ah-pah dee-ah?	He/she is.
Bagaimana cuacanya?	Bah-gai-mah-nah choo-ah-cha-nya?	It is.
Di mana kamu tinggal?	Dee mah-nah kah-moo ting-gahl?	I live.

In these examples, the answers are short and concise. They provide a direct response to the question without elaborating further.

2. Detailed responses:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Apa itu? Itu adalah buku.	Ah-pah ee-too? Ee-too ah-dah-lah boo-koo.	That is a book.
Siapa dia? Dia adalah teman saya.	See-ah-pah dee-ah? Dee-ah ah-dah-lah tay-mahn sah-yah.	He/she is my friend.
Bagaimana cuacanya? Cuacanya panas dan cerah.	Bah-gai-mah-nah choo-ah-cha-nya? Choo-ah-cha-nya pah-nahs dahn cheh-rah.	It is hot and sunny.
Di mana kamu tinggal? Saya tinggal di Jakarta.	Dee mah-nah kah-moo ting-gahl? Sah-yah ting-gahl dee Jah-kahr-tah.	I live in Jakarta.

In these examples, the answers are more detailed and provide additional information to the questioner. They give a clearer picture or explanation of the subject matter.

Remember to use the appropriate verb or noun to complete your answers. Pay attention to the context and choose the right words to convey your message effectively.

Practice[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to practice forming questions and answers in Indonesian using the question words "apa," "siapa," "bagaimana," and "di mana." Here are some questions for you to answer:

Apa makanan favoritmu?
Siapa nama ibumu?
Bagaimana perasaanmu hari ini?
Di mana kantor pos terdekat?

Take your time to think about the answers and then compare them with the suggested answers below:

Makanan favoritku adalah nasi goreng.
Nama ibuku adalah Maria.
Perasaanku baik-baik saja.
Kantor pos terdekat ada di jalan Sudirman.

Feel free to come up with your own questions and answers using the question words we have learned in this lesson. Practice is key to improving your language skills.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have learned how to form questions and answers in Indonesian using the question words "apa," "siapa," "bagaimana," and "di mana." Asking and answering questions is an important part of communication, and mastering this skill will greatly enhance your ability to converse in Indonesian. Keep practicing and applying what you have learned in real-life situations to reinforce your knowledge. In the next lesson, we will explore the topic of negation and affirmation in Indonesian. Sampai jumpa! (See you later!)

Table of Contents - Indonesian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Pronouns and Greetings

Basic Grammar

Daily Life

Sentence Structure

Indonesian Culture

Travel and Transportation

Verb Tenses

Shopping and Bargaining

Indonesian Arts

Modal Verbs

Colors and Shapes

Comparative and Superlative

Indonesian Traditions

Emergencies

Indirect and Direct Speech

Jobs and Professions

Indonesian Holidays

Videos[edit | edit source]

9 b - Asking Questions in Indonesian Language - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

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