Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Bensin sepeda motor saya habis.

Subject–predicate. The subject is the noun phrase bensin sepeda motor saya (“the gasoline of my motorcycle”), and the predicate is the stative word habis (“used up/run out”). Indonesian doesn’t need a “to be” verb here.

Is habis a verb or an adjective? How is it used?

It’s a stative adjective that can function as a predicate, often translated as “has run out/finished.” Examples:

Makanannya habis. = The food is gone.
Pulsa saya habis. = My phone credit ran out.

What’s the most natural way to say “I ran out of gas”?

Common options:

Saya/Aku kehabisan bensin. (focus on you as the experiencer; very idiomatic)
Bensin motor saya habis. (focus on the gasoline)
Motor saya habis bensin. (focus on the motorcycle)

Do I need a word like “to be” (e.g., adalah) here?

No. Indonesian doesn’t use a copula before adjectives. Bensin … adalah habis is ungrammatical. Just use habis.

Why does saya come after sepeda motor?

In Indonesian, the possessor follows the possessed: [noun] + [possessor]. So sepeda motor saya = “my motorcycle.” You can also use clitics:

sepeda motorku (my, informal)
sepeda motormu (your, singular informal)
sepeda motornya (his/her/its; or “the” motorcycle, depending on context)

Can I just say motor instead of sepeda motor?

Yes. In everyday speech motor means “motorbike/motorcycle.” Examples:

Bensin motor saya habis. Note: sepeda alone means “bicycle,” not “motorcycle.”

Should I add di (e.g., Bensin di sepeda motor saya habis)?

You can. With di, you highlight location (“the gas in my motorcycle [tank] is gone”). Without di, it’s a genitive “the motorcycle’s gas.” Both are natural.

How do I say “already” or “not yet” in this sentence?

Use sudah/udah (already) and belum (not yet):

Bensinnya sudah/udah habis. = The gas has already run out.
Bensin motor saya belum habis. = The gas hasn’t run out yet.

How do I negate it?

tidak habis = not finished (plain negation)
belum habis = not finished yet (more common/natural for ongoing quantities) Example: Bensin saya belum habis.

What does -nya do in Bensinnya habis?

-nya can mark definiteness (“the”) or 3rd-person possession (“his/her/its”). Bensinnya habis can mean “The gas has run out” or “His/Her/Its gas has run out,” depending on context. Spelling note: bensin + nya → bensinnya (double n).

Is this sentence formal or informal? Can I use aku/gue?

saya is neutral/formal. Informal options:

aku (general informal): Aku kehabisan bensin.
gue (Jakarta slang): Gue kehabisan bensin. Avoid gue in formal contexts.

Is bensin countable? How do I talk about amounts?

It’s a mass noun. Use measures:

seliter bensin / satu liter bensin = one liter of gas
Saya beli dua liter bensin.

When should I use habis vs selesai/tamat/kosong?

habis: consumables/resources are used up (bensin, makanan, uang).
selesai: tasks/activities are finished (work, homework).
tamat: stories/series end (a movie/season).
kosong: containers are empty (e.g., Tangki bensin motor saya kosong.)

Does habis ever mean “because”?

Colloquially, at the start of a clause habis can mean “because/since” (e.g., Habis saya capek.). In your sentence, habis is the stative “used up,” not “because.”

Any quick pronunciation or spelling tips?

habis is standard; abis is common informal spelling/pronunciation.
sepeda motor is a fixed compound; sepeda = bicycle, so keep both words for “motorcycle.”
bensin is pronounced roughly “BEN-seen.”