Tugas saya hari ini adalah menulis cerita pendek.

My assignment today is to write a short story.

Breakdown of Tugas saya hari ini adalah menulis cerita pendek.

• adalah: to be
• menulis: to write
• hari ini: today
• tugas: the assignment
• pendek: short
• cerita: the story

Questions & Answers about Tugas saya hari ini adalah menulis cerita pendek.

Why is adalah used in this sentence?

Adalah is used to link the subject (Tugas saya hari ini) with the complement (menulis cerita pendek) in a more formal way. It functions similarly to the verb "to be" in English. Without adalah, the sentence can still make sense, but using it adds a slightly more formal or explanatory tone.

Could I say the sentence without adalah?

Yes. You might hear people say Tugas saya hari ini menulis cerita pendek. In casual or spoken Indonesian, omitting adalah is common. However, including it sounds a bit more polished and formal.

What is the difference between menulis and menuliskan?

Both words come from the root tulis, meaning "to write." Menulis typically means "to write" in a general sense, while menuliskan can imply writing something on behalf of or for someone else, or can add a slightly more specific sense of completion or direction. In this sentence, menulis is more straightforward and natural.

Why use saya instead of aku?

Saya and aku both mean "I," but saya is more formal or neutral. Aku is more informal and often used among friends or in casual settings. Because the sentence focuses on a task (which might be in a somewhat formal context), saya fits well here.

Is cerita pendek always separate words or can it be combined?

When talking about a short story, cerita pendek is often written as two words. However, there's also the term cerpen, which is an abbreviation for cerita pendek. Both are acceptable, but cerpen is more colloquial and is a common shorthand in everyday use.