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Questions & Answers about Kamu suka kopi, kan?
What does the particle kan mean at the end of this sentence
Kan is a question tag used to seek confirmation or agreement. It comes from the word bukan but is shortened in casual speech. It works much like the English tags right or isnt it, inviting the listener to agree with the speaker’s assumption.
Is kan always placed at the end of a sentence
Yes. When kan functions as a tag question it always follows the main clause. You won’t see it in the middle of a sentence.
Can I replace kan with ya What’s the difference
You can, but the nuance changes.
- kan implies you already believe the listener agrees (I’m pretty sure you like coffee, right?)
- ya is more neutral, simply turning the statement into a question without presuming the answer (You like coffee, yeah?).
Why is there a comma before kan in writing
The comma marks a slight pause before the tag. In spoken Indonesian you’ll naturally pause. In writing the comma is optional—some style guides include it to reflect spoken rhythm, but it’s not mandatory.
Why is kamu used here Could I use anda instead
Kamu is the familiar form of you, used among friends or people of similar age/status. Anda is more polite or formal but feels distant in casual conversation. So you could say Anda suka kopi, kan, but it might sound stilted if you’re talking to a friend.
Can kamu be omitted altogether
Yes. If context is clear you can say Suka kopi, kan and people will understand you’re addressing them. Omitting the subject is common in informal Indonesian.
What part of speech is suka in this sentence
Suka is a verb meaning to like or be fond of. It can also act like an adjective in Indonesian when describing preference (I’m fond of coffee).
Why is there no article before kopi and no plural form
Indonesian does not use articles like the or a, so nouns stand alone. There’s also no plural ending; kopi can mean coffee in general, some coffee, or cups of coffee depending on context.
What is the basic word order in Indonesian
Indonesian typically follows Subject–Verb–Object. In Kamu suka kopi, kan:
- Subject = Kamu
- Verb = suka
- Object = kopi
You can rearrange words for emphasis, but SVO is the default.