Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya masak hidangan enak untuk keluarga saya.

In Indonesian, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. So hidangan enak literally translates to “dish delicious,” which is equivalent to “delicious dish” in English.

What is the role of the word untuk in the sentence?

Untuk functions as a preposition meaning “for.” It indicates the beneficiary of the action—in this case, “keluarga saya” means “my family,” showing for whom the cooking is done.

Why is the pronoun saya used twice, and how do their positions affect their meaning?

The first saya is the subject of the sentence, meaning “I.” The second saya follows keluarga to indicate possession, so keluarga saya means “my family.” In Indonesian, possessive pronouns come after the noun rather than before it, as in English.

Does the verb masak indicate a specific tense, such as past, present, or future?

No, Indonesian verbs do not conjugate to reflect tense. The verb masak remains unchanged regardless of whether the action occurred in the past, is happening now, or will occur in the future. The time frame is usually understood from context or additional time markers.

Is there any difference between the words hidangan and makanan when referring to food?

While both words can refer to food, hidangan often implies a prepared or specially presented dish, whereas makanan is a more general term for food. The choice depends on the context and the nuance the speaker wants to convey.