Breakdown of Rapat dimulai setengah delapan.
rapat
the meeting
dimulai
to start
setengah delapan
half past seven
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Questions & Answers about Rapat dimulai setengah delapan.
What exact time does setengah delapan refer to?
It means 7:30. In Indonesian, setengah [next hour] literally means half to the next hour. So setengah delapan = half to eight = 7:30. Note: In British English, “half eight” is 8:30, but in Indonesian setengah delapan is 7:30.
Why is dimulai used instead of mulai? Is this passive voice?
Yes. Dimulai is the passive form (literally is started), but in practice it often just reads as begins in a neutral/formal style. You can also say:
- Rapat mulai setengah delapan. (intransitive, also natural)
- With an agent:
- Active: Kami memulai rapat pukul setengah delapan.
- Passive with agent: Rapat dimulai oleh ketua pukul setengah delapan. (oleh ketua is often omitted)
Do I need the word pukul or jam before the time?
No, it’s optional. All are fine:
- Rapat dimulai setengah delapan. (colloquial/neutral)
- Rapat dimulai pukul setengah delapan. (more formal)
- Rapat dimulai jam setengah delapan. (neutral) Note: pukul is specifically for clock times of events; jam is broader (also used for durations).
How do I say 8:30 in Indonesian?