Saya menjadi tenang.

I become calm.

Breakdown of Saya menjadi tenang.

• saya: I
• tenang: calm
• menjadi: to become

Questions & Answers about Saya menjadi tenang.

What does the sentence “Saya menjadi tenang” mean?

It means “I become calm”—indicating that the speaker undergoes a change in state toward feeling calm.

What is the role of the word menjadi in this sentence?

Menjadi functions as a linking verb that translates as “to become.” It connects the subject saya with the adjective tenang, showing a transformation in the speaker’s condition.

How does the structure of this sentence compare to a typical English sentence?

Both Indonesian and English often use a similar subject–verb–complement structure. In this Indonesian sentence, saya is the subject, menjadi is the verb (meaning “to become”), and tenang is the adjective acting as the complement. This is similar to the English construction “I become calm.”

Why isn’t there an auxiliary or copular verb like “is” used, as in English?

In Indonesian, menjadi itself carries the meaning of transformation or becoming, so it naturally links the subject with its new state. There is no need for a separate copula like “is” because the language expresses the idea of change in state directly through menjadi.

Can this sentence structure be applied using different adjectives?

Yes, you can use the same pattern [Subject] + menjadi + [adjective] to indicate a change in state. For example, “Saya menjadi lelah” translates to “I become tired.”