Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Tim menyetujui rencana cadangan setelah berdiskusi. - The team approves the backup plan after discussing.

In Indonesian, tim (lowercase) means team. It’s capitalized here only because it starts the sentence, which can make it look like the English name Tim. Context decides. If you want to make it clear you mean a team, you can say sebuah tim, tim itu, or para anggota tim.

What’s the difference between menyetujui and setuju?

menyetujui = to approve/agree to something, and it takes a direct object: Tim menyetujui rencana cadangan.
setuju = to agree, used with a preposition:
- with a noun: Tim setuju dengan rencana cadangan.
- with a verb: Tim setuju untuk melanjutkan.

Is Tim setuju rencana cadangan correct?

Not natural. Use a preposition: Tim setuju dengan rencana cadangan. If you want a direct object without a preposition, use menyetujui: Tim menyetujui rencana cadangan.

Does menyetujui sound more formal than setuju?

Yes. menyetujui often implies a formal or official approval of a proposal, plan, or request. setuju is more general and conversational. Another common synonym for mutual agreement is sepakat (e.g., Mereka sepakat untuk lanjut).

What does rencana cadangan literally mean, and why is the order like that?

Literally, rencana = plan, cadangan = reserve/backup. Indonesian puts the modifier after the noun, so “backup plan” is rencana cadangan. Synonyms include rencana alternatif or rencana kontinjensi; informally, people also say rencana B.

Can I say “after discussing it” more explicitly?

Yes:

setelah mendiskusikannya (adding -nya = it).
Or keep the original but specify a partner: setelah berdiskusi dengan manajemen.
You can also use the noun: setelah diskusi.

Who is doing the discussing in setelah berdiskusi?

By default it’s understood to be the same subject as the main clause (the team). If it’s someone else, specify it: Setelah manajemen berdiskusi, tim menyetujui … or Setelah tim berdiskusi dengan manajemen, ….

What’s the difference between berdiskusi and mendiskusikan?

berdiskusi is intransitive (to have a discussion, to discuss together).
mendiskusikan is transitive (to discuss something): Mereka mendiskusikan rencana cadangan.

Can I move the time clause to the front?

Yes: Setelah berdiskusi, tim menyetujui rencana cadangan. When fronted, use a comma after the time clause. Keeping setelah berdiskusi at the end is also fine.

What’s the passive voice version?

Rencana cadangan disetujui (oleh) tim setelah berdiskusi. The agent marker oleh is optional in many contexts. You can also add aspect if needed, e.g., sudah disetujui or telah disetujui.

How is menyetujui formed and pronounced?

Formation: meN- + setuju + -i → menyetujui. With meN-, an initial s in the root typically drops and the prefix surfaces as meny-.
Pronunciation: syllables are me-nye-tu-ju-i. The ny is like the “ny” in English canyon, and ui is pronounced as two vowels (u + i).

Is there any difference between setelah and sesudah?

They’re near-perfect synonyms meaning after. setelah is slightly more common; sesudah can sound a bit more formal or regional. In casual speech you might also hear habis or abis.

Can I use menyetujui with a verb phrase, like “approve to do X”?

Prefer:

setuju untuk + verb: Tim setuju untuk melanjutkan.
Or make the verb phrase part of a noun phrase that’s approved: Tim menyetujui rencana untuk melanjutkan. Using menyetujui untuk + verb does appear in formal writing, but setuju untuk is more natural for everyday use.