Language/Indonesian/Grammar/Adjectives-and-Adverbs

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Indonesian Grammar → Sentence Structure → Adjectives and Adverbs

As a complete beginner in Indonesian, you must be wondering about the use of adjectives and adverbs in this language. Fear not, as I am here to guide you on how to use them properly. Adjectives and adverbs are essential to add more meaning, detail, and information about the subject in a sentence. In this lesson, I will teach you how to use some common Indonesian adjectives and adverbs like tidak, sangat, cantik, and bagus.

Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Word Order & Give your Opinion.

Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe or modify nouns or pronouns. In Indonesian, adjectives are usually placed after the noun or pronoun, unlike in English. Here are some examples of Indonesian adjectives, their pronunciation, and their English translation:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
cantik	/ˈtʃantɪk/	beautiful, pretty
tinggi	/ˈtɪŋgi/	tall
besar	/ˈbɛsar/	big
kecil	/ˈkɛtʃɪl/	small
panjang	/ˈpanjaŋ/	long
pendek	/ˈpɛndɛk/	short

It is essential to note that in Indonesian, adjectives do not change based on gender or number. For example, "cantik" (beautiful) is used for both masculine and feminine nouns. Also, there is no need to use the verb "to be" in between the adjective and the noun. For instance, you can say "rumah besar" (big house) instead of "rumah itu besar" (that house is big).

Now, let’s practice using adjectives in sentences:

Saya suka makanan Indonesia yang pedas. (I like spicy Indonesian food)
Dia membeli baju baru yang cantik. (She bought a new pretty dress)
Kamu tinggi sekali! (You are so tall!)
Dia punya perusahaan besar. (He has a big company)
Rumah saya kecil tapi nyaman. (My house is small but cozy)

Adverbs

Adverbs are used to describe or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in a sentence. In Indonesian, adverbs are often formed by adding "-ly" to the adjectives just like in English. Here are some common Indonesian adverbs, their pronunciation, and their English translation:

Indonesian	Pronunciation	English
sangat	/ˈsaŋat/	very, extremely
kurang	/ˈkurang/	less, insufficiently
cepat	/ˈtʃɛpat/	fast, quickly
lambat	/ˈlambat/	slow
mudah	/ˈmudah/	easy
sulit	/ˈsulit/	difficult

It is crucial to note that unlike adjectives, Indonesian adverbs are usually placed before the adjective or verb, unlike in English. Here are some examples of Indonesian adverbs in sentences:

Saya sangat suka bunga. (I really like flowers)
Makanan ini kurang pedas. (This food is less spicy)
Dia berlari cepat sekali. (She runs very fast)
Sulit memahami bahasa Indonesia di awal. (It's difficult to understand Indonesian at first)
Mudah menemukan restoran di jalan ini. (It's easy to find restaurants on this street)

It is important to note that unlike English, there is no difference between adverbs and adjectives in Indonesian. So, you can use an adjective in place of an adverb. For example, "rumah ini bagus" (this house is nice) can mean "this house looks good" or "this house is good".

Negation with Adjectives and Adverbs

Negating adjectives and adverbs in Indonesian is pretty simple. To negate an adjective or adverb, you can use the word "tidak" which means "not". Here are some examples:

Dia tidak cantik. (She is not pretty)
Saya tidak suka makanan pedas. (I don't like spicy food)
Saya tidak bisa berbicara bahasa Indonesia dengan baik. (I can't speak Indonesian well)

Intensifiers with Adjectives and Adverbs

Intensifiers are used to strengthen the meaning of adjectives and adverbs. In Indonesian, the word "sangat" (very or extremely) is used as an intensifier for adjectives and adverbs. Here are some examples:

Dia sangat cantik. (She is very pretty)
Saya sangat suka bakso. (I really like meatballs)
Saya sangat sulit berbicara bahasa Indonesia. (I find it very difficult to speak Indonesian)

Conclusion

In this lesson, you have learned how to use adjectives and adverbs in Indonesian. You have also learned how to negate and intensify them. Remember that adjectives come after the noun or pronoun, and adverbs come before the verb or adjective. With practice, you will be able to use them in context fluently.

Sources

Impressive work on finishing this lesson! Explore these additional pages to enhance your understanding: How to Use Have & Plurals.

Table of Contents - Indonesian Course - 0 to A1

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

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