Question 1

Why does the sentence start with di lift gedung perkantoran instead of udara di lift gedung perkantoran?

Accepted Answer

In Indonesian, it’s common to front-load a location or time phrase for emphasis or style. By putting di lift gedung perkantoran first, the speaker highlights where this observation is happening. You could also say Udara di lift gedung perkantoran tidak sejuk seperti di perpustakaan, which is equally correct but more neutral in word order.

Question 2

Why is the preposition di used twice—once before lift and again before perpustakaan?

Accepted Answer

Di marks location in Indonesian. Whenever you specify “at/on/in” a place, you use di. Since there are two different locations (the lift and the library), you mark each one:  
- di lift (in the elevator)  
- di perpustakaan (in the library)

Question 3

What exactly does udara tidak sejuk mean? Is it the same as “cold air”?

Accepted Answer

Sejuk means “cool” or “refreshing,” not necessarily “cold.” So udara tidak sejuk means “the air is not cool/refreshing.” If you wanted to say “this air is cold,” you’d use udara dingin.

Question 4

How does the comparison seperti di perpustakaan work? Can you break it down?

Accepted Answer

- seperti means “like” or “as”  
- di perpustakaan means “in the library”

So seperti di perpustakaan = “like in the library.” Together with the negative, tidak sejuk seperti di perpustakaan means “not as cool as (it is) in the library.”

Question 5

Why is there no word for “is” (e.g., adalah) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Indonesian, simple descriptive sentences often drop any linking verb like “is.” You directly state the subject and its description. Inserting adalah is possible but sounds more formal or literary:  
- Udara di lift gedung perkantoran tidak sejuk seperti di perpustakaan. (neutral)  
- Udara di lift gedung perkantoran adalah tidak sejuk seperti di perpustakaan. (more formal, less common)

Question 6

What does gedung perkantoran mean, and why not just kantor?

Accepted Answer

- Gedung = “building”  
- Perkantoran = “office-related” (from kantor, “office”)

Together gedung perkantoran literally means “office building.” You could say kantor if you mean “office” in general, but gedung perkantoran specifies the building that houses many offices.

Question 7

Can lift be replaced by another word? Why is the English word used?

Accepted Answer

Lift is a common loanword in Indonesian for “elevator,” especially in casual or modern contexts. Alternatives:  
- Elevator (also used but feels more technical)  
- Tempat naik turun orang (very formal, almost never used)

Most Indonesians simply say lift.

Question 8

Is the comma after perkantoran necessary?

Accepted Answer

No, it’s optional. The comma shows a slight pause, separating the location phrase (di lift gedung perkantoran) from the main clause. In writing, it can improve readability, but leaving it out isn’t a grammar mistake.

Di lift gedung perkantoran, udara tidak sejuk seperti di perpustakaan.

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