Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Kakak laki-laki saya suka minum kopi di pagi hari. - My older brother likes drinking coffee in the morning.

Kakak means an older sibling (gender-neutral). Adding laki-laki specifies the sibling is male, so kakak laki-laki = older brother. If context already makes the gender clear, you can say just kakak.

Why is saya placed after kakak laki-laki instead of before it?

In Indonesian, the possessor follows the noun: kakak laki-laki saya = my older brother. Saying saya kakak laki-laki would mean I am an older brother (a statement about yourself), not my older brother.

Can I use aku or gue instead of saya?

Yes. Saya is neutral/formal, aku is informal/intimate, and gue (or gua) is Jakarta colloquial. The sentence could become Kakak laki-laki aku suka minum kopi di pagi hari or Kakak laki-laki gue suka minum kopi di pagi hari.

Is it okay to say kakakku or kakak laki-lakiku?

Yes. You can attach the enclitic -ku to the noun: kakakku. For the full phrase, many people say kakak laki-lakiku. In careful writing, some prefer kakakku yang laki-laki to keep the -ku on the head noun and use yang to specify male.

Why is it suka minum and not suka untuk minum?

Suka is typically followed directly by a verb: suka minum, suka membaca. Using untuk here is unnecessary and sounds odd; untuk expresses purpose, not liking.

What’s the difference between minum and meminum?

Minum is the common, neutral base verb to drink. Meminum is the meN- transitive form, more formal/literary, often used when emphasizing the object (meminum kopi). In everyday speech, minum kopi is more natural.

How is suka different from gemar or senang?

Suka is the default word for like. Gemar is a bit formal/elevated (fond of). Senang can mean happy/pleased to and often carries an emotional nuance, not just preference.

Is there a difference between suka kopi and suka minum kopi?

Yes. Suka kopi = likes coffee (as a thing/flavor). Suka minum kopi = likes the activity of drinking coffee.

Do I need an article like a or the before kopi? How do I say a cup of coffee?

Indonesian has no articles. Kopi can be generic or specific from context. To count servings, use measure words: secangkir kopi or segelas kopi = a cup/glass of coffee.

What’s the difference between di pagi hari and pada pagi hari?

Both are acceptable. Pada is traditionally recommended for time expressions and sounds a bit more formal; di is very common in everyday usage for times of day. You can also just say pagi hari or simply pagi, depending on style and rhythm.

Why add hari after pagi? Can I just say pagi?

Pagi hari literally means morning time and can feel a bit fuller or slightly more formal. Pagi alone is perfectly fine in most contexts. For an earlier-morning nuance, you can say pagi-pagi (early morning).

Does this sentence mean every morning?

Not necessarily. It states a general habit in the morning. If you mean every morning, say setiap pagi (or tiap pagi): Kakak laki-laki saya suka minum kopi setiap pagi.

Is di here a preposition or the passive prefix di-? How can I tell?

It’s the preposition di (in/at), written as a separate word before a noun phrase: di pagi hari. The passive prefix di- attaches to verbs with no space (e.g., diminum = is/was drunk).

How do I make older brothers plural?

Use reduplication on the head noun and, if needed, clarify gender: Kakak-kakak saya yang laki-laki suka minum kopi di pagi hari. (Kakak-kakak = older siblings, then yang laki-laki limits it to the male ones.)

Is the original sentence natural? What are colloquial and formal alternatives?

It’s natural and correct. More colloquial: Abangku suka ngopi pagi-pagi or Kakak gue suka minum kopi tiap pagi. More formal: Kakak laki-laki saya gemar meminum kopi pada pagi hari.

Is kakak also used as a form of address?

Yes. Kakak (often shortened to Kak) is used to address someone slightly older, regardless of family relation, as a polite/affectionate term. Regionally, you might also hear Mas/Mbak (Javanese) or Bang (Betawi/Minang).