Questions & Answers about Televisi itu punya layar besar.
Why is itu placed after televisi instead of before, like “itu televisi”?
In Indonesian, demonstratives such as itu (“that”) almost always follow the noun they modify. So televisi itu literally means “that television.” Putting itu before the noun (itu televisi) would sound unnatural.
What does punya mean in this sentence?
punya is a colloquial verb meaning “to have” or “to own.” In Televisi itu punya layar besar, it functions like the English verb “has”: “That TV has a big screen.”
Can I replace punya with memiliki or mempunyai?
Yes. memiliki and mempunyai also mean “to have” or “to own,” but they are slightly more formal.
• Televisi itu memiliki layar besar.
• Televisi itu mempunyai layar besar.
Why isn’t there an article like “a” or “the” in the sentence?
Indonesian does not use articles. Definiteness or specificity is often shown by context or demonstratives like itu. So instead of “the television,” you say televisi itu (“that television”).
Why doesn’t the sentence use the linking verb adalah?