Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Can-and-Must

Indonesian Grammar → Modal Verbs → Can and Must

As an Indonesian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you how to use two important modal verbs in Indonesian: bisa and harus. These two verbs will help you express your abilities, possibilities, and obligations in your daily conversations. In this lesson, you will learn how to use them correctly in various contexts with cultural information and interesting facts.

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Definite Articles in Indonesian & Give your Opinion.

Bisa (Can)

The verb "bisa" is used to indicate someone's ability or possibility to do something. It is always followed by the base form of a verb without the particle "me-".

Examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Saya bisa berbicara bahasa Indonesia.	IPA: [ˈsaja ˈbisa bɛr.bi.ˈtʃa.ra ba.ˈha.sa in.do.ˈne.sja]	I can speak Indonesian.
Kamu bisa membantu saya?	IPA: [ˈka.mu ˈbisa mɛm.ˈban.tu ˈsaja]	Can you help me?
Mereka bisa datang besok.	IPA: [mɛ.ˈrɛ.ka ˈbisa ˈda.taŋ ˈbɛ.sɔk]	They can come tomorrow.

Notice that the negative form of "bisa" is "tidak bisa" (cannot).

Examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Saya tidak bisa makan pedas.	IPA: [ˈsaja ˈti.dak ˈbisa ˈma.kan ˈpɛ.das]	I cannot eat spicy food.
Kamu tidak bisa pergi hari ini.	IPA: [ˈka.mu ˈti.dak ˈbisa ˈpɛr.gi ˈha.ri ˈi.ni]	You cannot go today.
Mereka tidak bisa membayar sekarang.	IPA: [mɛ.ˈrɛ.ka ˈti.dak ˈbisa mɛm.ˈba.jar sɛ.ˈka.raŋ]	They cannot pay now.

Harus (Must)

The verb "harus" is used to indicate someone's obligation or necessity to do something. It is always followed by the base form of a verb without the particle "me-".

Examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Saya harus belajar bahasa Indonesia setiap hari.	IPA: [ˈsaja ˈharus bɛl.ˈa.dʒar ba.ˈha.sa in.do.ˈne.sja sɛ.ˈtiap ˈha.ri]	I must study Indonesian every day.
Kamu harus membayar tagihan ini sekarang.	IPA: [ˈka.mu ˈharus mɛm.ˈba.jar ta.ɡi.ˈhan ˈi.ni sɛ.ˈka.raŋ]	You must pay this bill now.
Mereka harus berangkat pagi-pagi.	IPA: [mɛ.ˈrɛ.ka ˈharus bɛr.ˈaŋ.kat ˈpa.ɡi ˈpa.ɡi]	They must leave early in the morning.

Notice that the negative form of "harus" is "tidak harus" (not necessary).

Examples:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
Saya tidak harus pergi ke pesta itu.	IPA: [ˈsaja ˈti.dak ˈharus ˈpɛr.ɡi kɛ ˈpɛs.ta ˈi.tu]	I do not have to go to that party.
Kamu tidak harus membeli hadiah mahal untuk saya.	IPA: [ˈka.mu ˈti.dak ˈharus mɛm.ˈbe.li ha.ˈdi.ah ma.ˈhal u.ˈntuk ˈsaja]	You do not have to buy me an expensive gift.
Mereka tidak harus menunggu lama-lama.	IPA: [mɛ.ˈrɛ.ka ˈti.dak ˈharus mə.ˈnʊŋ.ɡu ˈla.ma ˈla.ma]	They do not have to wait for a long time.

Recap

Let's summarize what you have learned so far about "bisa" (can) and "harus" (must):

• "bisa" is used to indicate someone's ability or possibility, while "harus" is used to indicate someone's obligation or necessity.
• Both verbs are always followed by the base form of a verb without the particle "me-".
• "tidak bisa" means cannot or unable, while "tidak harus" means not necessary.
• You can use "bisa" and "harus" in various contexts to express yourself in Indonesian.

Don't forget to practice using "bisa" and "harus" in your conversations with your Indonesian friends or teachers. Good luck!

Sources

• Indonesian language - Wikipedia
• The Only Indonesian Pronunciation Guide You'll Ever Need
• How to Learn Indonesian - Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Learn ...

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

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Colors and Shapes

• Colors
• Shapes

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Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative
• Superlative

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Indonesian Traditions

• Indonesian Weddings
• Indonesian Batik

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Emergencies

• Medical Emergencies
• Natural Disasters

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Indirect and Direct Speech

• Direct Speech
• Indirect Speech

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Job Titles
• Workplaces

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Indonesian Holidays

• Indonesian Independence Day
• Idul Fitri

Other Lessons

• Word Order
• Why Learn Indonesian
• Nouns
• How to Use Be
• May and Should
• Indefinite Articles in Indonesian
• Questions
• Adjectives
• Definite Articles in Indonesian
• Possessive Cases in Indonesian