Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya minum kopi, lalu saya makan kue manis.

Lalu translates to then in English. It serves as a connector between the two actions, telling us that after drinking coffee, the next action (eating sweet cake) takes place.

Why is the subject saya repeated in both parts of the sentence? Can I drop it in one of the clauses?

Repeating saya in both clauses helps to clarify that the same subject is carrying out both actions. While Indonesian often allows the subject to be omitted in the second clause if it’s obvious from context, keeping it can make the sentence clearer—especially for learners—and emphasizes that each action is independent.

Why does the adjective manis come after the noun kue? Is this word order typical in Indonesian compared to English?

Yes, in Indonesian adjectives usually follow the noun they describe. In this sentence, kue manis literally means "cake sweet," which we understand as "sweet cake." This is different from English, where adjectives typically come before the noun.

What is the overall sentence structure of "Saya minum kopi, lalu saya makan kue manis" in terms of subject, verb, and object?

The sentence is composed of two independent clauses that each have a subject-verb-object order. In the first clause, Saya (subject) minum (verb) kopi (object). In the second clause, Saya (subject) makan (verb) kue manis (object, with manis as an adjective modifying kue).

Can lalu be replaced with another word to indicate sequence? If so, what are the nuances between any alternatives?

Yes, lalu can often be replaced with kemudian, which also means "then" or "afterwards." However, lalu typically conveys a more immediate sequence of events, while kemudian might be used when there’s a slight pause or more obvious separation between the events. Both are acceptable, but choosing one over the other can subtly change the timing implied by the sentence.