Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Baju itu cocok untuk pesta malam ini. - That shirt is suitable for tonight's party.

baju often means a top/shirt, and more generally “clothes.”
If you specifically mean a dress, say gaun (or colloquial dress).
For “clothing/attire” as a general category, use pakaian. So the sentence could be “That shirt is suitable…,” “Those clothes are suitable…,” or (if context is clearly a dress) “That dress is suitable….”

Why is itu after baju? Can I say itu baju?

Demonstratives follow nouns in Indonesian: baju itu = “that/the shirt.”
Itu baju is a different structure where itu is a pronoun meaning “that,” as in “That is a shirt.” For a noun phrase meaning “that shirt,” stick with baju itu.

Is baju itu singular or plural?

Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default, so baju itu can be “that shirt” or “those clothes,” depending on context. To force plural, you can say baju-baju itu (“those shirts/clothes”), but you only need it when clarity is required.

Does itu mean “that” or “the”?

Both are possible. Itu can mean “that” (distance/contrast) or act like a definiteness marker similar to “the” for something known in context. Use ini for “this.”

Why is there no adalah in Baju itu cocok…?

With adjective predicates, Indonesian normally omits adalah. You say Baju itu cocok… not Baju itu adalah cocok…. Use adalah mainly between two nouns (e.g., Dia adalah guru.).

What’s the difference between cocok and pas?

cocok = suitable/appropriate/matches in style or purpose.
Example: Baju itu cocok untuk pesta.
pas = fits (size) or “just right.”
Example: Ukuran baju itu pas. / Baju itu pas di badan saya.
You can combine ideas: Baju itu pas dan cocok untuk pesta.

Why cocok untuk pesta and not cocok ke/di pesta?

untuk = “for” (purpose): cocok untuk pesta = suitable for a party.
ke = “to” (movement): ke pesta = to the party (destination).
di = “at/in” (location): di pesta = at the party. So use untuk when talking about suitability, not destination or location.

When do I use cocok untuk, cocok dengan, and cocok bagi?

cocok untuk + noun/verb (purpose/use): cocok untuk pesta, cocok untuk bekerja.
cocok dengan + noun (matches/goes well with): cocok dengan sepatu itu.
cocok bagi + person/group (suitable for someone, formal): cocok bagi anak-anak.
Informally with people, cocok untuk saya/kamu is also common.

Can I use buat instead of untuk?

Yes. Baju itu cocok buat pesta malam ini is natural in casual speech. Untuk is neutral/formal; buat is informal.

Is anything omitted, like “to wear”? How do I say that explicitly?

Indonesian often omits it because it’s understood. To say it explicitly:

Baju itu cocok dipakai ke pesta malam ini.
Baju itu cocok untuk dipakai ke pesta malam ini.
Here dipakai/dikenakan = “to be worn,” and ke pesta = “to the party.”

What does pesta malam ini mean exactly? Can I move malam ini?

pesta malam ini = “tonight’s party” / “the party tonight,” where malam ini modifies pesta. You can front the whole phrase for emphasis: Untuk pesta malam ini, baju itu cocok.
Just putting Malam ini at the start (Malam ini, baju itu cocok untuk pesta) sounds like “Tonight, that shirt is suitable for a party (in general),” which changes the nuance.

Is malam ini the same as nanti malam?

Both can translate as “tonight,” but:

malam ini = this evening/tonight (today’s night).
nanti malam = later this evening/tonight (more future-oriented).
In your sentence, either works; malam ini is the default.

How do I show quantity: “one shirt,” “some shirts,” etc.?

One: satu baju (also sebuah baju, more formal; plain satu baju is common).
Several/some: beberapa baju.
Many: banyak baju.
Plural can also be shown by reduplication: baju-baju, but use it when you need to stress plurality.

Can I use -nya instead of itu?

Yes, but note the nuance/ambiguity:

Bajunya cocok untuk pesta malam ini. can mean “The shirt is suitable…” or “His/Her shirt is suitable….”
-nya often marks definiteness (“the”) or possession (“his/her/its/their”), so context must clarify.

Can I use gaun or pakaian instead of baju?

If you mean a dress: Gaun itu cocok untuk pesta malam ini.
If you mean attire/clothing generally: Pakaian itu cocok untuk pesta malam ini.
Choose the noun that matches what you’re talking about.

How do I say it’s “really” suitable?

Use intensifiers:

Neutral/formal: sangat cocok, cocok sekali.
Informal: cocok banget.
Example: Baju itu sangat cocok untuk pesta malam ini.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

baju = bah-joo (j like “judge,” u like “food”).
itu/ini = ee-too / ee-nee.
cocok = cho-chok (c always “ch”).
pesta = PES-tah (e like “bed”).
malam = MAH-lahm.
Stress is usually on the penultimate syllable and vowels are pure.