Kopi itu baik.

to be

Breakdown of Kopi itu baik.

• itu: that
• kopi: the coffee
• baik: good

Questions & Answers about Kopi itu baik.

What does each word in Kopi itu baik mean?

Kopi means “coffee,” itu is a demonstrative adjective that translates as “that” (indicating a specific coffee), and baik means “good.” So the sentence literally translates to “That coffee is good” or “The coffee is good.”

Why is there no verb equivalent to “is” in the sentence?

In Indonesian, simple equative sentences typically omit the verb “to be.” Instead, the subject and its descriptive adjective stand together, which makes the sentence both concise and grammatically correct.

What is the role of itu in this sentence?

The word itu functions as a demonstrative adjective. Unlike in English, where demonstratives usually precede the noun (e.g., “that coffee”), in Indonesian itu follows the noun to highlight or specify which item is being referred to.

Is it acceptable to drop itu and say just Kopi baik?

While Kopi baik might be understood in the right context, including itu adds clarity by identifying a specific coffee. Omitting itu can be acceptable in very casual or context-rich situations but could lead to ambiguity if the reference isn’t clear.

How would you form the negative version of the sentence?

To negate the sentence, insert the negation word tidak before baik. The negative form is Kopi itu tidak baik, which means “The coffee is not good.”

Can you modify the sentence for added emphasis?

Yes, you can add an adverb such as sangat to intensify the adjective. For example, Kopi itu sangat baik means “The coffee is very good,” emphasizing a higher degree of goodness.

How does the word order in Indonesian differ from English regarding demonstrative adjectives?

In Indonesian, demonstrative adjectives like itu are placed after the noun, whereas in English they generally come before the noun. This is a standard feature of Indonesian sentence structure that learners should get used to.