Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya menikmati suasana sejuk di perpustakaan sore hari. - I enjoy the cool atmosphere in the library in the afternoon.

Menikmati means “to enjoy” or “to savor”, and it’s a transitive verb derived from the root nikmat (“pleasure,” “delight”). You use it when you want to express that you are enjoying something—whether it’s a moment, a flavor, or an atmosphere.

How do we translate suasana sejuk?

Suasana means “atmosphere” or “ambiance,” and sejuk means “cool” (in terms of temperature or feeling). Together, suasana sejuk conveys the idea of a cool, refreshing atmosphere.

Why do we use di before perpustakaan?

In Indonesian, di is the preposition for location, equivalent to “in,” “at,” or “on” in English. Saying di perpustakaan literally means “in the library.”

What does sore hari mean and why are there two words?

Sore alone means “late afternoon,” and hari means “day.” Combining them as sore hari is similar to saying “in the late afternoon” or “during the afternoon,” clarifying that it’s a time-of-day expression.

Why isn’t there an article like “the” or “a” before perpustakaan?

Indonesian normally doesn’t use articles the way English does. If you need an indefinite article you can add sebuah or suatu (e.g., sebuah perpustakaan = “a library”), but if the context is clear, you simply omit it.

Can we drop saya (I) in this sentence?

Yes, you can drop saya when the subject is clear from context, especially in informal speech. Including saya makes it explicit who is performing the action; dropping it often sounds more casual.

Could we insert yang before sejuk, like suasana yang sejuk?

Absolutely. Yang functions like “that” or “which” to introduce a relative clause. Suasana yang sejuk is more formal or emphatic, but native speakers often omit yang when simply placing an adjective after a noun.

What’s the difference between saya and aku?

Both mean “I,” but saya is formal/neutral, often used in polite conversation or with strangers. Aku is informal/intimate, used among close friends, family, or in casual settings.

Is the word order in this sentence similar to English?

Yes—the basic Indonesian order is Subject – Verb – Object – Adverbial, just like English. Here:
• Saya (Subject)
• menikmati (Verb)
• suasana sejuk (Object)
• di perpustakaan sore hari (Adverbial phrases indicating where and when)