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Questions & Answers about Rute ini aman.
Where is the verb “is”? Why is there no word between rute ini and aman?
Indonesian doesn’t use a linking verb for adjective predicates. An adjective can serve directly as the predicate: Rute ini aman = “This route is safe.” You should not insert adalah before an adjective here; Rute ini adalah aman is unnatural/wrong. Use adalah only when equating two nouns, e.g., Rute ini adalah opsi terbaik (“This route is the best option”).
So can I ever use adalah with this idea?
Only if you turn the predicate into a noun phrase: Rute ini adalah rute (yang) aman. This is grammatical but wordy; in everyday speech you’d just say Rute ini aman. Adalah is more common in formal/written definitions or classifications.
Why does ini come after rute? Can I say ini rute?
In Indonesian, demonstratives follow the noun: rute ini = “this route,” rute itu = “that route.”
Ini can appear before a noun only when it functions as a pronoun meaning “this,” e.g., Ini rute. = “This is a route.” That’s different from rute ini (“this route” as part of a larger clause).
What’s the difference between Rute ini aman, Ini rute aman, and Rute yang ini aman?
- Rute ini aman = “This route is safe.” (clause; statement about a specific route)
- Ini rute aman = “This is a safe route.” (presentation/identification; ini is a pronoun) Many speakers would say Ini rute yang aman for clarity.
- Rute yang ini aman = “This one route (among options) is safe.” The yang ini highlights selection/contrast.
How do I say “This route is not safe”?
Use tidak to negate adjectives: Rute ini tidak aman.
Use bukan only to negate nouns: Rute ini bukan rute aman.
How can I intensify or soften aman?
- Very safe: Rute ini sangat aman / Rute ini aman sekali (formal-neutral), Rute ini aman banget (informal).
- Quite/rather safe: Rute ini cukup aman / Rute ini lumayan aman.
- Perfectly/just fine: Rute ini aman-aman saja (reassuring, informal-neutral).
How do I say “These routes are safe”?
Several options:
- Explicit plural: Rute-rute ini aman.
- With “all”: Semua rute ini aman.
- Colloquial with a definite marker: Rutenya aman semua.
Indonesian doesn’t require plural markers, so context often handles number.
Is rute aman ini the same as rute ini aman?
No.
- rute aman ini = “this safe route” (a noun phrase; adjective modifies the noun), e.g., Saya memilih rute aman ini.
- Rute ini aman = a full clause “This route is safe,” where aman is the predicate.
What exactly does aman mean? How is it different from selamat?
- aman = safe, secure, free from danger/threat. It describes conditions or places: Rute ini aman, Daerah itu aman.
- selamat = safe/unharmed (result), also used in greetings: Selamat pagi. You’d say Dia selamat (“He/She is safe/unharmed”) after an incident, or Selamat sampai tujuan (“Arrive safely”).
Should I use rute, jalur, jalan, or trayek?
- rute: a route/itinerary (flights, hikes, delivery routes). Rute ini aman.
- jalur: path/lane/track/corridor (often physical lanes or corridors). Jalur ini aman untuk pejalan kaki.
- jalan: road/street in general. Jalan ini aman malam hari.
- trayek: fixed public-transport route. Trayek itu aman dan tertib.
There’s overlap, but rute fits itineraries and planned routes well.
How do I pronounce Rute ini aman?
- rute = [RU-tə] (final e is a schwa), r is a tapped/flapped sound, u like “oo” in “food.”
- ini = [EE-nee].
- aman = [AH-man].
Stress is light and usually on the first syllable: RU-te, I-ni, A-man.
Is the sentence formal or casual? Any variants for different registers?
Neutral and fine almost anywhere. Variants:
- More formal/“previously mentioned”: Rute tersebut aman.
- Reassuring/casual: Rute ini aman kok.
- Polite reassurance: Rute ini aman, Pak/Bu.
Can I use the -nya suffix instead of ini? What does Rutenya aman mean?
Rutenya aman often means “The route is safe,” with -nya marking definiteness or something known in context. It can also mean “its route is safe,” depending on context. If you need “this route” specifically, rute ini is unambiguous.
How do I talk about past or future safety?
Add time words or aspect markers:
- Future: Rute ini akan aman besok.
- Already/now safe: Rute ini sudah aman.
- Still safe: Rute ini masih aman.
- Earlier today: Tadi rute ini aman.
Indonesian doesn’t change the adjective; you add particles/adverbs instead.
What’s the difference between ini and itu here?
- ini = “this” (near the speaker or just chosen now): Rute ini aman.
- itu = “that/that one (there/previously mentioned)”: Rute itu aman.
In formal writing, tersebut = “the aforementioned”: Rute tersebut aman.
Can I answer a safety question with just Aman?
Yes. In conversation:
- Q: Aman, gak? / Aman nggak? (“Is it safe?”)
- A: Aman.
That single-word reply is natural and means “Yes, (it’s) safe.”