Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Jadwal harian saya teratur.

Indonesian doesn’t use a copula before adjectives. The adjective itself is the predicate. So Jadwal harian saya teratur literally reads “My daily schedule regular,” meaning “My daily schedule is organized/regular.” Other examples: Saya lapar (I’m hungry), Rumah itu besar (That house is big).

What exactly does teratur mean? Is it “organized” or “regular”?

Teratur means “in order, regular, steady.” For a schedule, it implies consistent and well-structured. Near-synonyms:

rapi = neat/tidy (appearance)
terencana = well-planned (planned in advance)
terjadwal = scheduled (has a set schedule)
tertata = well-arranged Examples: jadwal teratur (regular schedule), meja rapi (tidy desk), pola makan teratur (regular eating pattern).

How do I negate it?

Use tidak before the adjective: Jadwal harian saya tidak teratur (My daily schedule is irregular). In casual speech: nggak/gak.

How do I make it a yes/no question?

Either add Apakah or just use rising intonation:

Apakah jadwal harian saya teratur?
Jadwal harian saya teratur? (spoken with a questioning tone)

What’s the difference between harian, sehari-hari, and setiap hari?

harian = daily (adjective modifying a noun): jadwal harian, koran harian (daily newspaper)
sehari-hari = day-to-day/every day (habitual): Saya berolahraga sehari-hari (I exercise daily)
setiap hari = every day (per day): Saya berolahraga setiap hari

Why is saya after the noun? Can I put it before like English?

Possessors follow the noun: jadwal saya (my schedule), rumah saya (my house). Putting saya before the noun doesn’t form a possessive.

Can I use -ku instead of saya? What’s the difference?

Yes. Attach -ku directly to the noun: jadwalku or jadwal harianku (more informal/neutral). Jadwal harian saya is neutral/formal. Avoid a space: not “jadwal harian ku.”

Should I add adalah here, like Jadwal harian saya adalah teratur?

No. Adalah links two nouns (or a noun and a noun phrase), not an adjective. Correct: Dia adalah guru (She is a teacher). With adjectives: Jadwal harian saya teratur.

Can teratur directly modify a noun, or do I need yang?

Both work. jadwal teratur = a regular schedule. jadwal yang teratur = a schedule that is regular (slightly more explicit/defining). Note: Jadwal harian saya yang teratur by itself is a fragment; complete it, e.g., Jadwal harian saya yang teratur membuat saya produktif.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

jadwal: “jad-wal” (pronounce the d+w cluster)
harian: “ha-ree-ahn”
saya: “sah-yah”
teratur: “tə-RA-toor,” tap the r. Indonesian stress is light, typically on the second-to-last syllable.

How do I say “very organized”?

Neutral/formal: sangat teratur or teratur sekali
Colloquial: teratur banget Example: Jadwal harian saya sangat teratur.

How do I say “I have a regular daily schedule”?

Neutral: Saya punya jadwal harian yang teratur.
Formal: Saya memiliki jadwal harian yang teratur.

How do I make it plural, like “My daily schedules are organized”?

Context often shows plurality, but you can be explicit:

Semua jadwal harian saya teratur (All my daily schedules are organized.)
Jadwal-jadwal harian saya teratur (reduplication is more formal/written).

How do I say “Our daily schedule is organized”? Use kami or kita?

Jadwal harian kami teratur = our (excluding the listener)
Jadwal harian kita teratur = our (including the listener)

Can I drop harian? Does it change the meaning?

Yes. Jadwal saya teratur = My schedule is organized/regular (general). Adding harian narrows it to specifically the daily schedule.