Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Apakah kamu suka kopi?

Apakah is a question marker used in Indonesian to indicate that the sentence is a yes–no question. Unlike English auxiliaries like “do” or “does,” it doesn’t have a direct translation but clearly signals that the sentence expects a yes or no answer.

How does the word order in "Apakah kamu suka kopi?" compare to English question formation?

In Indonesian, the word order remains similar to a declarative sentence. The subject kamu (you) comes before the predicate suka kopi (like coffee). The insertion of apakah at the beginning is what transforms it into a question, whereas English often uses inversion or auxiliary verbs to signal a question.

Why is the verb suka not conjugated according to the subject or tense?

Indonesian verbs like suka do not change form based on the subject or tense. The language typically uses the same form regardless of who is performing the action or when it takes place. Additional context or specific time markers are used to indicate tense if needed.

What does kamu mean, and when is it appropriately used?

Kamu translates to “you” in English and is used in informal or familiar contexts. In more formal situations, speakers might use Anda instead to show respect or maintain formality.

Are there alternative ways to ask “Do you like coffee?” in Indonesian without using apakah?

Yes, in spoken or casual contexts you might simply rely on intonation and say Kamu suka kopi? without the word apakah. However, adding apakah makes it clear that the sentence is a yes–no question, which is especially useful in written language or more formal speech.