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Questions & Answers about Kucing saya lembut.
What does Kucing saya lembut mean in English?
It translates to My cat is soft. Here, kucing means cat, saya functions as a possessive pronoun meaning my (even though it also means I in other contexts), and lembut means soft.
Why is there no verb equivalent to is found in the English sentence My cat is soft?
In Indonesian, the linking verb (or copula) is often omitted in simple descriptive sentences. Instead of saying My cat is soft, Indonesians say Kucing saya lembut, directly placing the adjective after the subject to convey the state.
How is possession indicated in the phrase Kucing saya compared to English?
Indonesian expresses possession by placing the pronoun saya after the noun kucing. Although saya typically means I or me, its position here immediately after the noun implies my. Alternatively, one can use the possessive suffix and say kucingku; both forms indicate my cat but the choice can depend on formality or stylistic preference.
What part of speech is lembut in this sentence and what role does it play?
Lembut is an adjective that describes the subject kucing saya. It follows the subject as a predicate adjective, conveying the quality of the cat, much like in English where adjectives typically follow linking verbs in descriptive statements.
Are there any differences in formality or usage between kucing saya and kucingku when expressing possession?
Yes, there is a subtle difference. Kucing saya is considered more formal or standard and is often used in written or formal contexts, while kucingku uses the suffix -ku and is more common in informal, spoken Indonesian. Both mean my cat, so the choice depends on the context and desired tone.