Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Ibu membeli bawang dan cabai segar di pasar, terutama ketika harga murah. - Mother buys fresh onions and chili at the market, especially when prices are cheap.

As a kinship term, Ibu = my mother (often understood without -ku).
As a respectful title, Ibu = Ma’am/Mrs., or a polite way to refer to an adult woman. If you want to be explicit: Ibuku (my mom), Ibu saya (my mother), or use Ibu
- name/title for Ma’am/Mrs.

Why membeli and not beli?

Membeli is the formal/polite form (meN- prefix + root beli). In everyday speech people often say beli with no prefix. Both are correct; choose membeli for formal writing/speech, beli for casual.

Does segar describe both bawang and cabai, or only cabai?

Technically it most clearly attaches to the closest noun (cabai). Context usually implies both are fresh. To be explicit:

For both: bawang dan cabai yang segar or bawang segar dan cabai segar.
For only chilies: keep bawang dan cabai segar or say bawang dan cabai yang segar and specify elsewhere.

Is bawang garlic or onion?

Bawang is a family word. Specify the type:

bawang putih = garlic
bawang merah = shallot (the most common onion in Indonesian cooking)
bawang bombai = bulb onion If you say only bawang, many will think of shallots, but it’s ambiguous.

Is cabai the same as cabe?

Yes. Cabai is the official spelling; cabe is very common in everyday use. In Malaysia you’ll also see cili.

Why is there no word for is/are in ketika harga murah?

Indonesian adjectives can function as predicates. harga murah literally means price(s) cheap = prices are cheap. You don’t use adalah with adjectives here.

Should it be ketika harganya murah instead?

Both are fine:

ketika harga murah = when prices are cheap (general statement).
ketika harganya murah = when the prices are cheap (a bit more specific/definite). You can also add aspect: ketika harga sedang murah or casual kalau harganya lagi murah.

What’s the difference between di pasar and ke pasar?

di pasar = at/in the market (location of the buying).
ke pasar = to the market (direction/movement). Example: Ibu pergi ke pasar (Mom goes to the market).

How do I show plural for bawang and cabai?

Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default; context covers it. To make it explicit, add a quantifier:

banyak cabai (many chilies), beberapa bawang (several onions), or numbers: dua kilo cabai.

How do I count or measure these ingredients naturally?

Common options:

By weight: sekilo/dua kilo cabai, setengah kilo bawang merah, dua ons cabai (in Indonesia, ons = 100 g).
By piece/unit: tiga buah bawang bombai.
For garlic cloves: tiga siung bawang putih.

Can I use yang here, and when?

Use yang to form a clearer modifier:

bawang dan cabai yang segar = onions and chilies that are fresh (unambiguously applies to both). Without yang, cabai segar can be read as only the chilies are fresh.

What’s the nuance between ketika, saat, and kalau?

ketika = when (neutral/formal, time-specific).
saat = at the time/when (very common and neutral).
kalau = if/when (very common in casual speech; can mean conditional or habitual when).

Where can I place terutama?

Typical placements:

Ibu membeli … di pasar, terutama ketika harga murah.
Ibu terutama membeli … di pasar ketika harga murah.
Terutama ketika harga murah, Ibu membeli … di pasar. Keep terutama next to the part you want to emphasize.

How would a more casual version sound?

Examples:

Ibu beli bawang sama cabe segar di pasar, terutama kalau lagi murah.
Addressing politely in speech: Bu beli bawang sama cabe segar di pasar, ya, apalagi kalau lagi murah.

Is the comma before terutama required?

It’s optional but helpful. Terutama introduces an aside/emphasis, so a comma makes the pause clear in writing.

How do I show time/aspect like usually, currently, already, or will?

Add particles/adverbs:

Habit: biasanya, sering (e.g., Ibu biasanya membeli …)
Progressive/current: sedang, casual lagi (e.g., Ibu sedang membeli …)
Past/completed: sudah, tadi (e.g., Ibu sudah membeli …)
Future/intention: akan, mau (e.g., Ibu akan membeli …)