Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Comparative

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Indonesian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Comparative

In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of comparatives in the Indonesian language. Understanding how to compare things is essential for effective communication, whether you're describing people, objects, or experiences. Comparatives help us express differences and similarities, adding depth to our conversations. By the end of this lesson, you'll be equipped to make comparisons using the words lebih, lebih dari, and sama...dengan.

In this lesson, we will cover:

• The structure and usage of comparatives in Indonesian

• Detailed explanations of the key comparative words

• Numerous examples to illustrate each point

• Exercises to reinforce your understanding and application

So, let’s dive into this exciting aspect of Indonesian grammar!

Understanding Comparatives

Comparatives are used to compare two or more things. In Indonesian, the most common ways to express comparisons are:

• Lebih - Meaning "more"

• Lebih dari - Meaning "more than"

• Sama...dengan - Meaning "the same as"

These words help us articulate differences in quality, quantity, or degree. Let's break down each one.

Using "Lebih"

The word lebih is used to indicate a higher degree of a particular quality. It's often followed by an adjective.

For example:

• Dia lebih tinggi. (He is taller.)

• Buku ini lebih menarik. (This book is more interesting.)

Let's look at some more examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Dia lebih cepat.	diˈa ˈle.biʔ tʃeˈpat	He is faster.
Mobil itu lebih mahal.	ˈmo.bil ˈi.tu ˈle.biʔ ˈma.hal	That car is more expensive.
Dia lebih pintar daripada saya.	diˈa ˈle.biʔ ˈpin.tar daˈra.paˈn ˈsa.ja	She is smarter than I am.
Kue ini lebih enak.	ˈku.e ˈi.ni ˈle.biʔ ˈe.nak	This cake is tastier.
Film itu lebih seru.	ˈfilm ˈi.tu ˈle.biʔ ˈsə.ru	That movie is more thrilling.

Using "Lebih Dari"

The phrase lebih dari is used to compare two entities by emphasizing that one exceeds the other in quality or quantity.

For example:

• Saya lebih tinggi dari dia. (I am taller than him.)

• Dia lebih pintar dari saya. (He is smarter than me.)

Here are more examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Dia lebih tinggi dari saya.	diˈa ˈle.biʔ ˈtiŋ.gi ˈda.ri ˈsa.ja	He is taller than me.
Buku ini lebih berat dari buku itu.	ˈbu.ku ˈi.ni ˈle.biʔ ˈbə.rat ˈda.ri ˈbu.ku ˈi.tu	This book is heavier than that book.
Mobil ini lebih cepat dari mobil itu.	ˈmo.bil ˈi.ni ˈle.biʔ ˈtʃeˈpat ˈda.ri ˈmo.bil ˈi.tu	This car is faster than that car.
Saya lebih kaya dari dia.	ˈsa.ja ˈle.biʔ ˈka.ja ˈda.ri diˈa	I am richer than him.
Restoran ini lebih mahal dari restoran itu.	rɛs.tɔˈran ˈi.ni ˈle.biʔ ˈma.hal ˈda.ri rɛs.tɔˈran ˈi.tu	This restaurant is more expensive than that restaurant.

Using "Sama...Dengan"

The phrase sama...dengan is used to indicate equality between two entities. It translates to "the same as."

For example:

• Dia sama tinggi dengan saya. (He is the same height as me.)

• Buku ini sama menarik dengan buku itu. (This book is as interesting as that book.)

Let's look at more examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Dia sama pintar dengan saya.	diˈa ˈsa.ma ˈpin.tar ˈdəŋ.an ˈsa.ja	He is as smart as I am.
Mobil ini sama cepat dengan mobil itu.	ˈmo.bil ˈi.ni ˈsa.ma ˈtʃeˈpat ˈdəŋ.an ˈmo.bil ˈi.tu	This car is as fast as that car.
Kue ini sama enak dengan kue di sana.	ˈku.e ˈi.ni ˈsa.ma ˈe.nak ˈdəŋ.an ˈku.e di ˈsa.na	This cake is as delicious as the cake over there.
Dia sama kaya dengan saya.	diˈa ˈsa.ma ˈka.ja ˈdəŋ.an ˈsa.ja	He is as rich as I am.
Restoran ini sama mahal dengan restoran di kota.	rɛs.tɔˈran ˈi.ni ˈsa.ma ˈma.hal ˈdəŋ.an rɛs.tɔˈran di ˈko.ta	This restaurant is as expensive as the restaurant in the city.

Summary of Comparatives

To summarize, here’s a quick recap of how to use the comparative forms in Indonesian:

• Lebih: Use to express "more" when comparing qualities.

• Lebih dari: Use to indicate that one entity exceeds another.

• Sama...dengan: Use to indicate equality between two entities.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercises

To help reinforce what you’ve learned, here are some exercises. Try to complete them and then check your answers below.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using lebih, lebih dari, or sama...dengan.

1. Mobil ini ___ cepat ___ mobil itu.

2. Dia ___ pintar ___ saya.

3. Kue ini ___ enak ___ kue di restoran lain.

4. Saya ___ tinggi ___ dia.

5. Restoran ini ___ mahal ___ restoran di pusat kota.

Exercise 2: Match the Sentences

Match the Indonesian sentences with their English translations.

1. Dia lebih cepat dari saya.

2. Buku ini sama menarik dengan film itu.

3. Saya sama kaya dengan dia.

4. Mobil itu lebih mahal dari mobil ini.

5. Dia lebih tinggi dari saya.

A. He is taller than me.

B. This book is as interesting as that movie.

C. I am as rich as him.

D. That car is more expensive than this car.

E. He is faster than me.

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Comparatives

Write three sentences comparing two items using lebih, lebih dari, and sama...dengan.

For example:

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

Solutions

Here are the solutions for the exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Mobil ini lebih cepat dari mobil itu.

2. Dia lebih pintar dari saya.

3. Kue ini sama enak dengan kue di restoran lain.

4. Saya lebih tinggi dari dia.

5. Restoran ini lebih mahal dari restoran di pusat kota.

Exercise 2: Match the Sentences

1. E

2. B

3. C

4. D

5. A

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Comparatives

Your sentences will vary. Here are some examples:

1. Mobil ini lebih cepat dari mobil merah.

2. Buku ini sama menarik dengan buku yang saya baca kemarin.

3. Dia lebih tinggi dari semua teman sekelasnya.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we've taken a journey through the world of comparatives in Indonesian. You've learned how to express differences and similarities using lebih, lebih dari, and sama...dengan. These tools will not only enhance your language skills but also enrich your conversations. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be making comparisons like a pro!

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

• Comparison of Indonesian and Standard Malay - Wikipedia
• Indonesian Comparative and Superlative - ielanguages.com
• The comparative study between Indonesian and English blend ...

Other Lessons

• Superlative
• Definite Articles in Indonesian
• 0 to A1 Course
• Conditional Mood
• Indirect Speech
• Past Tense
• Give your Opinion
• Negation and Affirmation
• Questions
• Negation

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