Learning Indonesian part 2

this time,,i'll talk about the personal pronoun in Indonesia

I - saya (formal) / aku (informal)

You - Anda (formal) / kamu (informal) ; kalian (plural)

We - kami ; kita

They - mereka

He - dia

She - dia

example :

1. I am a student = saya/aku (adalah) seorang pelajar.

 Note : how to use "saya" and "aku"

The rule is pretty simple

'saya' is use when talking to elderly people, at work/school, business, in public, when talking to strangers, and some other formal situations.

'aku' is use when talking to your friends (close), and some other informal situations.

Important note:

- Old people, married people, business men/women, etc always call themselves 'saya' instead of 'aku' due to politeness. They also NEVER address people with 'kamu'. They always address with Bapak, Ibu, Saudara/i, and can be followed by the persons' names.

- Young people can call themselves with 'saya' or 'aku', while the rules of politeness apply, as mentioned above.

PERSONAL PRONOUN

my ...- ...ku

your ...-....mu

our ... - ...kita/kami

their ... - ...mereka

his... / her ... - ....nya

example :

my book - bukuku

ummm...i'll add some note about how to addressing a person in Indonesia

Mr - Bapak / Pak

Mrs - Ibu / Bu

Miss - Nona (Formal but not particularly use,,generally you address MBAK or just the name only)

Well, in Indonesian culture, people prefer to address each other with their names or Mr/Mrs/Miss. It is to respect other people. But sometimes in informal situation, e.g with classmates, Indonesians can address others with 'kamu'.

When addressing elder people, Indonesians NEVER use 'kamu', but Indonesians also seldom address with Anda. Indonesians usually address with 'Bapak' or 'Ibu' or 'Saudara/i'. Sometimes it is followed with the person's name. For example, Bapak Budi.

Do NOT address these people with 'kamu':

-         Any member of your family. I mean, ANY. Even your little sister.

-         Your teachers, even if they are younger than you.

-         Your schoolmates that are in grades higher than you, e.g. you're in Grade 10^th, so you shouldn't address the 11^th Graders with 'kamu'.

-         Your colleagues

-         Any persons in your business life.

-         Any elder people you know or you meet.

-         Strangers.

You should address these people with 'Bapak' or 'Ibu' (can be followed with their names):

-         Your teachers

-         Any persons in your business life.

-         Any elder people you know or you meet.

 Addressing in family:

Indonesians prefer to address their family members with their status, example:

Father - Bapak / Ayah / Papa

Mother - Ibu / Bunda / Mama

Elder Sister/ Brother - Kaka

Younger Sister / Brother - Adik

Grandmother - Nenek

Grandfather - Kakek

Your parents' brother/ Uncle - Paman / Om

Your parents' sister / Aunt - Bibi/Tante

When addressing cousins, Indonesians tend to use 'kamu' or their names instead or if he/she is older than you Indonesians tend t o use "kakak

You address your Nephew or Niece just their name,,they will call you PAMAN or BIBI

you address some one (young) you dont know with MBAK (female) or MAS (male)  and for older people with BAPAK (male) or IBU (female)

okaayy,,now i give u some examples

my brother is a soldier - kakakku (adalah) seorang tentara

close your eyes - tutup mata kalian

Questions?

or want to try your Indonesian?

leave comment or email me ^^