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Questions & Answers about Warna tas ini biru gelap.
What is the function of warna in this sentence?
warna literally means “color,” and here it serves as the topic or subject of the statement. The structure is like saying, “As for the color of this bag, (it) is dark blue.” Indonesian often starts a sentence by introducing the topic in this way.
Why isn’t there a word for “is” between tas ini and biru gelap?
In Indonesian equational sentences, the linking verb “to be” is usually omitted. The relationship is understood. So Warna tas ini biru gelap literally reads “the color of this bag dark blue,” with “is” implied.
Why do we say biru gelap instead of gelap biru?
When you describe a color and its shade, Indonesian puts the main color first and the modifier second. biru (blue) + gelap (dark) gives “dark blue.” Reversing them would sound unnatural.
Can I just say Tas ini biru gelap without warna?
Yes. In casual Indonesian you can place an adjective phrase directly after the noun: Tas ini biru gelap (“This bag is dark blue”). However, if you want to focus on or ask about the color specifically, you often use warnanya or berwarna for clarity.
How about using berwarna instead—Tas ini berwarna biru gelap?
That’s perfectly correct. berwarna is a verb/adjective meaning “to have color” or “to be colored.” So Tas ini berwarna biru gelap is a very common alternative, essentially equivalent in meaning.
What’s the difference between Tas ini warnanya biru gelap and Warna tas ini biru gelap?
Both are correct and mean the same thing.
- Tas ini warnanya biru gelap uses warnanya (“its color”) after the subject.
- Warna tas ini biru gelap fronts warna as the topic.
The choice is a matter of emphasis or style, but both are equally natural.
Why does ini follow tas? Couldn’t we say ini tas?
When ini (“this”) modifies a noun, it normally comes after it: tas ini = “this bag.” Saying ini tas is more like starting a sentence with “This is a bag” (Ini tas), not “this bag.”
What part of speech is gelap in biru gelap?
Here gelap functions as an adjective describing the shade of biru. Indonesian doesn’t distinguish strictly between “adjective” and “noun” for color words the way English sometimes does—gelap simply modifies biru to mean “dark.”
Can I include adalah in the sentence?
Yes. To be very explicit you can insert adalah (or ialah) as a linking verb:
Warna tas ini adalah biru gelap.
In everyday speech and writing, though, adalah is often dropped because the link is already clear.