Breakdown of Saya berjalan di pasir halus sambil menikmati matahari terbenam.
saya
I
sambil
while
di
on
pasir
the sand
berjalan
to walk
halus
soft
menikmati
to enjoy
matahari terbenam
the sunset
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Questions & Answers about Saya berjalan di pasir halus sambil menikmati matahari terbenam.
What does sambil mean and how do we use it?
sambil functions like “while …ing.” It links two actions happening at the same time. Structure: sambil + verb (base form).
Example: sambil menikmati = “while enjoying.”
What part of speech is berjalan, and why is it formed that way?
berjalan is a verb meaning “to walk.” The prefix ber- turns the root jalan (which on its own can mean “road” or, colloquially, “to walk”) into a standard intransitive verb for “walking.”
Why is di used before pasir halus, and why not di atas?
In Indonesian, di is a locative preposition: di + noun marks “at/in/on” a place. di pasir halus literally means “at/in the fine sand.” You can say di atas pasir halus (“on top of the fine sand”) to emphasize surface contact, but it’s optional when context is clear.
Why are the words in the order pasir halus and not halus pasir?
Indonesian adjective order is noun + adjective (opposite of English). So you always say pasir halus (“sand fine”) rather than halus pasir.
What is the difference between sambil and just using dan (“and”) to link actions?
dan (“and”) simply connects two clauses without implying timing:
- Saya berjalan dan menikmati matahari terbenam.
(“I walk and I enjoy the sunset.”)
sambil specifies that one action occurs while the other is happening: - Saya berjalan sambil menikmati matahari terbenam.
(“I walk while enjoying the sunset.”)
What does menikmati mean, and how is it formed?
menikmati means “to enjoy.” It’s formed with the active-transitive prefix meN- + root nikmati (from nikmat “delight”). It requires a direct object (what is being enjoyed).
How is matahari terbenam constructed, and why does it mean “sunset”?
- matahari = “sun” (literally mata “eye” + hari “day”)
- terbenam = passive/accidental form of benam “to submerge,” so “has submerged”
Put together: “the sun that has set” = sunset.
Do we need Saya at the beginning, or can it be omitted?
Indonesian often skips the subject pronoun if it’s understood. Saya berjalan… is more explicit or formal. In casual speech you can say (Saya) berjalan di pasir halus… and everyone will know you’re talking about yourself.