Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Gender

Indonesian Grammar - Gender

Hi Indonesian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will delve into a topic that can be tricky for English speakers: Indonesian Grammar Gender. Don't worry, we'll explain it in simple terms and provide examples. So keep on reading!

Introduction

Indonesian does not have separate gender pronouns like in English (he, she, him, her) but it does have a gender reference in the third person singular. Understanding gender in Indonesian is important for using the right word forms.

In this lesson, we will explore the gender reference in Indonesian in a simple and entertaining way. We will also give you cultural insights on how the grammar can be useful in social contexts. You'll be amazed to learn how gender is used in address forms, for example. So, stay tuned!

Gender in Indonesian

Indonesian has two gender references: "Dia" and "Mereka." While "dia" refers to he or she, "mereka" means they.

But, how can we know if "dia" refers to "he" or "she"? Easy-peasy! Look at the verb. The verb will tell you the right form to use. If the verb ends in "-kan," it indicates that "dia" refers to a male subject. On the other hand, if the verb ends in "-i," it indicates that "dia" refers to a female subject.

For example:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Dia belajar	ˈdiaː bɛ.ˈla.ʤaɾ	He/She is studying
Dia belajarkan	ˈdiaː bɛ.ˈla.ʤaɾ.kan	He is teaching
Dia belajari	ˈdiaː bɛ.ˈla.ʤa.ɾi	She is learning

Applied grammar

In Indonesian, gender is often used as a form of politeness in conversation, particularly in addressing people.

Here are some commonly used title suffixes: "pak" and "bapak" for "Mr." and "ibu" or "bu" for "Mrs." You will notice that these title suffixes are gender specific.

• Person 1: Selamat pagi, Pak!
• Person 2: Pagi juga! Bagaimana kabar Bapak hari ini?

Translation:

• Person 1: Good morning, Mr.!
• Person 2: Good morning! How are you doing today?

"Adik" is a gender-neutral term in Indonesian that means younger sibling. It is commonly used to refer to someone younger than you, regardless of their gender. Similarly, "Kakak" means older sibling and is also gender-neutral, but has more formal connotations.

• Person 1: Adik, kamu suka makan sate?
• Person 2: Suka, Kak!

Translation:

• Person 1: Younger sibling, do you like to eat satay?
• Person 2: Yes, I do, older sibling!

Exceptions

Just to give you a heads up: "adek" is considered grammatically incorrect in Indonesian. It may be common slang, but the correct gender-neutral term is "adik".

Another exception is the word "dokter" (doctor), which is always used in the masculine form even if it refers to a female doctor. It does not have a feminine form. In such cases, you can use "dokter perempuan" to specify "female doctor" if necessary.

Conclusion

Learning Indonesian grammar gender may seem challenging at first, but it is an essential skill to acquire if you want to express yourself correctly and politely. Keep practicing and do not hesitate to ask native speakers for guidance. To improve your Indonesian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Indonesian Language
• Indonesian Grammar
• Indonesian Pronouns

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• Verbs in Indonesian
• Past Participle in Indonesian
• Indefinite Articles in Indonesian
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• Why Learn Indonesian