Saya bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia.

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Breakdown of Saya bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia.

• saya: I
• bahasa: the language
• Indonesia: Indonesian
• bisa: can
• bicara: to speak

Questions & Answers about Saya bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia.

What does bisa mean in this sentence, and how is it used?

Bisa means "can" or "be able to." In this sentence, it functions as a modal verb that indicates ability. Unlike English modals, it remains unchanged regardless of the subject.

Why is the verb bicara not conjugated or changed for the subject?

Indonesian verbs do not conjugate according to the subject or tense. So whether the subject is saya (I) or someone else, bicara stays in the same form, which simplifies the grammar compared to English.

Is there a difference between bicara and berbicara in Indonesian?

Yes, there is a subtle difference. Bicara and berbicara both mean "to speak" or "to talk." Generally, bicara is often used in informal contexts, while berbicara might be perceived as slightly more formal. In many everyday conversations, either form is acceptable.

Why is bahasa Indonesia expressed without an article or preposition, unlike in English?

Indonesian does not use articles like "a" or "the." The phrase bahasa Indonesia is a compound noun where bahasa means "language" and Indonesia specifies which language. The structure is inherently different from English, so no preposition or article is needed.

Do I always need to include the subject saya in Indonesian sentences?

Not necessarily. In Indonesian, if the subject is clear from context, it can be omitted. However, including saya in this sentence explicitly shows that you are referring to yourself. In formal or clear communication, especially for beginners, it’s common to include the subject.

How would I express inability, such as "I cannot speak Indonesian"?

To express inability, you would negate bisa by placing tidak before it. The sentence becomes Saya tidak bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia, which translates to "I cannot speak Indonesian."