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?