Rumah saya dekat kantor.

to be

Breakdown of Rumah saya dekat kantor.

• rumah: the house
• kantor: the office
• dekat: near

Questions & Answers about Rumah saya dekat kantor.

Why doesn’t the sentence have a verb “to be”?

In Indonesian, it’s common to have sentences without a linking verb like “to be.” Instead, the sentence “Rumah saya dekat kantor.” directly states a relationship: “My house (is) near the office,” without using a separate verb.

Why is it “Rumah saya” and not “Saya rumah”?

Indonesian typically puts the main noun first, followed by the possessor. So “Rumah saya” literally means “House (of) me” or “My house.” Reversing the order to “Saya rumah” wouldn’t be grammatically correct for possession.

What part of speech is “dekat”?

The word “dekat” can function as an adjective meaning “close” or “near.” In this sentence, it describes the house’s proximity to the office.

Is “saya” the only way to say “I” or “my” in Indonesian?

No. “saya” is a polite, formal pronoun for “I” or “my.” Another common pronoun is “aku,” which sounds more casual or intimate. For example, “Rumah aku” is also “my house,” but less formal.

Does “Rumah saya dekat kantor” imply only one office?

Not necessarily. In Indonesian, “kantor” doesn’t change form for plural. If you mean a specific office, context or additional words could clarify, but the base word “kantor” remains the same whether singular or plural.