Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya sudah selesai menulis jadwal hari ini. - I have finished writing the schedule today.

sudah is an aspect marker meaning “already,” and selesai means “finished” or “completed.” Together sudah selesai literally means “already finished,” indicating the action is fully done.

Why do we need both sudah and selesai? Isn’t one enough?

They reinforce each other: sudah marks that the action took place prior to now, while selesai emphasizes its completion. You could say just sudah menulis jadwal (“have already written the schedule”), but sudah selesai menulis adds clarity that you didn’t just start or partially write it—you fully finished.

What role does menulis play here? Could I translate menulis jadwal as “planning the schedule”?

menulis strictly means “to write.” If you say menulis jadwal, you’re saying “to write (down) the schedule.” If you want “planning,” you might use merencanakan jadwal. menulis jadwal suggests you drafted or jotted it down, not just thought about it.

Why is hari ini placed at the end of the sentence?

In Indonesian, time expressions like hari ini (“today”) can go at the beginning or end. Placing it at the end is very common for emphasis or flow. Both Saya sudah selesai menulis jadwal hari ini and Hari ini saya sudah selesai menulis jadwal are perfectly grammatical, but the latter slightly highlights “today.”

Can I start with Hari ini? Would that change the meaning?

Yes. Hari ini saya sudah selesai menulis jadwal still means “Today I’ve already finished writing the schedule.” The focus shifts to “today” rather than the completion itself, but the basic meaning remains intact.

Is the subject saya optional? Could I say Sudah selesai menulis jadwal hari ini?

You can drop saya if context makes it clear who you’re talking about. Sudah selesai menulis jadwal hari ini (“(I) have already finished writing the schedule for today”) is fine in casual speech or notes, but in formal writing or when clarity is needed, include saya.

What’s the difference between sudah and telah here?

Both mean “already.” sudah is more colloquial and very commonly used in spoken Indonesian. telah is slightly more formal or literary. You could say Saya telah selesai menulis jadwal hari ini, but in everyday conversation you’d almost always hear sudah.

Why not just say sudah menulis jadwal hari ini without selesai?

You can. Saya sudah menulis jadwal hari ini means “I have written today’s schedule,” implying completion. Adding selesai stresses the fact that the action is completely done, leaving no room for partial work. It’s a matter of emphasis.