Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, has a lot to offer, and while it’s different from English in many ways, you might be surprised by some of the similarities. Let’s dive into the basics and see what sets these two languages apart, and what they have in common.
Word Order: Same but Different
Let’s start with something familiar—word order. Both Indonesian and English typically use the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. For example:
- English: I eat rice.
- Indonesian: Saya makan nasi.
Easy, right? The words are in the same order, which makes it a bit easier to pick up for English speakers. But here’s the catch—Indonesian is way more flexible with word order. You can shuffle things around for emphasis, which can take some getting used to.
No Tense, No Problem
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice is how the Indonesian language expressestime. In English, tenses are important: past, present, future. Indonesian, on the other hand, keeps it simple:
- English: I ate rice. / I eat rice. / I will eat rice.
- Indonesian: Saya makan nasi. (For all three!)
To show when something happened, you use a time word like sudah (already) for the past or akan (will) for the future. It’s a more relaxed approach, and once you get the hang of it, it can feel refreshingly straightforward.
Pluralization: Just Double It Up
In English, we add an ‘s’ or ‘es’ to make things plural. In Indonesian, you often just say the word twice:
- English: books
- Indonesian: buku-buku
This doubling is called reduplication, and while it might seem a bit quirky at first, it’s actually quite fun. But don’t worry—sometimes context alone makes it clear that something is plural, so you don’t always need to double up.
Pronouns: Formal or Informal?
Indonesian has a variety of pronouns depending on how formal or informal you want to be. For example:
- Saya (I, formal)
- Aku (I, informal)
In English, “I” is just “I,” no matter who you’re talking to. But in Indonesian, choosing the right pronoun can help you show respect or familiarity. It adds a layer of nuance to your conversations.
Indonesian Loanwords from English
Indonesian borrows a lot of words from English. Although most of the loanwords are changed to fit the characteristics of the language, you will still recognize them. Here are a few common words:
- Komputer (computer)
- Internet (internet)
- Film (film)
- Musik (music)
- Informasi (information)
For the complete list, you can check here.
The Flip Side: Indonesian Words in English
While not as common, a few Indonesian words have made their way into English, especially in the realms of food and culture. Words like satay (a skewered meat dish) and batik (a traditional fabric) are used in English to describe uniquely Indonesian things. For a more complete list, you can check here.
Wrapping It Up
Indonesian and English may seem worlds apart, but when you break it down, there are plenty of similarities to help you along the way. Whether it’s the shared word order or the English loanwords that have found a home in Indonesian, you’ll find some familiar ground as you learn. And the differences? They just add to the fun of discovering a new language and culture.
So, if you’re ready to start learning, jump right in. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)
