Log inSign up

Dompet saya kosong sekarang.

Dompet saya kosong sekarang.
My wallet is empty now.
FromLesson 6inHardcore Indonesian
…

Breakdown of Dompet saya kosong sekarang.

adalah
to be
sekarang
now
dompet
the wallet
kosong
empty

Questions & Answers about Dompet saya kosong sekarang.

Why isn't there a verb like is in Dompet saya kosong sekarang?
In Indonesian, you don’t use a copula (like “is”) with adjectives or noun predicates. You simply put the subject (or topic) first and follow it with the adjective or noun. So Dompet saya kosong literally reads “Wallet my empty” and is understood as “My wallet is empty.”
Why is saya placed after dompet, and can I attach it to the noun?
Possession in Indonesian is formed by placing the noun first, then the possessor: dompet saya (“my wallet”). Saying saya dompet would be grammatically incorrect. If you want a shorter, more informal form, you can attach the suffix -ku: dompetku (“my wallet”), but in neutral or formal contexts dompet saya is preferred.
What does kosong mean exactly, and can I replace it with habis?

Kosong means “empty” (nothing inside). It describes a container or space that has zero contents. Habis means “finished,” “used up,” or “out of stock,” and is used for consumables or quantities that run out. For example:

  • Bensin habis = “the gasoline has run out.”
    Saying dompet saya habis sounds odd, because a wallet isn’t something you consume. If your money is gone, you’d say uang saya habis, not your wallet.
Where can I place sekarang in the sentence? Does its position change the meaning?

Sekarang (“now”) is an adverb and can go at the beginning, middle, or end without changing the core meaning: • Sekarang dompet saya kosong.
• Dompet saya kosong sekarang.
• Dompet saya sekarang kosong.
All mean “My wallet is empty now.” The difference is only in emphasis or style.

How do I indicate that I have more than one wallet? How is plurality shown?

Nouns in Indonesian do not change form for singular or plural. To show more than one, you can:
• Repeat the noun: dompet-dompet saya kosong sekarang (“my wallets are empty now”).
• Use numerals or quantifiers: dua dompet saya kosong (“my two wallets are empty”).
Often context alone makes it clear whether something is singular or plural.

Can I shorten dompet saya using a possessive suffix?
Yes. You can attach -ku to get dompetku kosong sekarang. This is more colloquial and intimate. In formal or neutral speech, you would stick with dompet saya.
Why is there no the or a before dompet?
Indonesian has no articles like the or a. Definiteness or indefiniteness comes from context, word order, or adding words such as sebuah (“a, one”) or demonstratives like ini/itu (“this/that”) when you need to specify. In most everyday sentences, you simply omit articles.

More from this lesson

pernahfilmKamu pernah menonton film Indonesia?belum pernahbioskopbesarRumah besar itu dekat sekolah.Saya belum pernah menonton film di bioskop besar.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Indonesian grammar?”
Indonesian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Indonesian

Master Indonesian — from Dompet saya kosong sekarang to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Indonesian freeBrowse the full course