Saya simpan kunci di lemari.

I store the key in the cupboard.

Breakdown of Saya simpan kunci di lemari.

• saya: I
• di: in
• lemari: the cupboard
• simpan: to store
• kunci: the key

Questions & Answers about Saya simpan kunci di lemari.

Why is the verb simpan used here without the meN- prefix (as in menyimpan)?

In everyday spoken Indonesian, especially in informal contexts, speakers often drop the meN- prefix and use the bare root verb. So simpan is the “root” form of menyimpan.
• Formal/written: Saya menyimpan kunci di lemari.
• Colloquial/spoken: Saya simpan kunci di lemari.

How do we know di lemari is a location (in the cupboard) and not a passive-voice marker on a verb?

Indonesian uses di in two ways:

1. As a preposition meaning “in/at/on” before a place noun (with a space): di lemari = in the cupboard.
2. As a passive-voice prefix (attached to a verb without a space): disimpan = “is stored/kept.”
   In our sentence you see a space (di lemari), so it’s the location preposition, not the passive verb form.

Is di lemari the same as dalam lemari?

Mostly yes—both can mean “inside the cupboard.”
• di lemari is more common and idiomatic.
• di dalam lemari is more explicit about “inside.” You’d use di dalam if you want to stress “within.”

How do you show that kunci (“key”) is plural (keys)?

Indonesian nouns often don’t change in plural form. Context tells you if it’s singular or plural. If you really need to be explicit, you can say:
• beberapa kunci = “several keys”
• banyak kunci = “many keys”
Otherwise kunci can mean one key or multiple keys.

How is tense indicated in Saya simpan kunci di lemari.? Is it present, past, or future?

Indonesian typically doesn’t inflect verbs for tense. Instead, you add time words:
• Past: Saya sudah simpan kunci di lemari. or more formally Saya sudah menyimpan…
• Present/habitual: Saya simpan kunci di lemari. (no marker)
• Future: Saya akan simpan kunci di lemari.

Can you turn this into a passive-voice sentence?

Yes. In passive you would say:
Kunci disimpan di lemari (oleh saya).
Literally “The key is stored in the cupboard (by me).”
• di- prefix + simpan → disimpan marks passive.

What’s the word order here, and can it change?

Standard Indonesian order is Subject (S) – Verb (V) – Object (O) – Adverbial (A):
“Saya” (S) “simpan” (V) “kunci” (O) “di lemari” (A).
You could front-focus the object in colloquial speech:
Kunci, saya simpan di lemari.
But the basic SVOA order is most neutral.

How would you give an instruction: “Put the key in the cupboard”?

Use the imperative form without the subject or prefix drop:
Simpan kunci di lemari!
Literally “Store/keep the key in the cupboard!”

What’s the difference between simpan, taruh, and letakkan for “put”?

• simpan = store/keep for later use (“keep it in a safe place”).
• taruh = place/put down in a spot (more general).
• letakkan = put/place, often with a sense of careful placement.
Example:

• Saya simpan kunci di lemari. (“I keep the key in the cupboard.”)
• Saya taruh kunci di meja. (“I put the key on the table.”)
• Saya letakkan kunci di meja samping tempat tidur. (“I placed the key on the bedside table.”)