Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Dia lupa mengambil kembalian karena terburu-buru ke kereta. - He/She forgot to take the change because he/she was rushing to the train.

Dia is gender‑neutral and can mean either “he” or “she.” To specify gender, add a noun like laki‑laki/pria (male) or perempuan/wanita (female), or just use the person’s name. Ia is a slightly more formal subject pronoun (often in writing), and beliau is a respectful form for elders or important people.

There’s no past tense in the sentence. How do I show it happened in the past?

Indonesian uses time words/aspect markers:

tadi (earlier), barusan (just now), kemarin (yesterday): Tadi dia lupa mengambil kembalian.
sudah/telah (already) show completion: Dia sudah mengambil kembalian. For a one‑off past event like this, a time word such as tadi or barusan is most natural.

Why lupa mengambil and not lupa untuk mengambil? Are both correct?

Both are correct. Lupa mengambil is more common and natural in everyday speech. Lupa untuk mengambil sounds a bit more formal or deliberate, and is often used when the verb phrase is longer or needs emphasis.

Can I say Dia lupa kembalian?

You’ll hear it informally, and it can mean “he forgot about the change,” but it’s vague. To say he failed to take it, Dia lupa mengambil kembalian is clearer. Another colloquial option is Dia kelupaan kembalian, which highlights the “accidentally forgot” nuance.

What exactly does kembalian mean? Is it related to kembali?

Yes. Kembali means “to return/again.” Adding -an makes a noun: kembalian = “(the) change” you get back after paying. You can also say uang kembalian (“change money”). Don’t confuse it with the verb phrase mengambil kembali (to take back again).

Is mengambil kembali the same as mengambil kembalian?

No. Mengambil kembali = “to take (something) back again.” Mengambil kembalian = “to take the change (money).” Example: Dia mengambil kembali bukunya (He took his book back).

Why mengambil and not ambil? When do I use the meN- prefix?

Mengambil is the standard active form in neutral statements. The bare root ambil is very common after modals/aspect words or in casual speech:

Dia mau ambil kembalian (He wants to take the change).
Dia sudah ambil kembalian (He already took the change). With roots starting with a vowel (like ambil), meN- appears as meng- → mengambil.

What’s the nuance of terburu-buru? How is it different from buru-buru or tergesa-gesa?

Buru-buru: “in a hurry,” “quickly,” often neutral.
Terburu-buru: “hastily,” often implying undue or careless haste.
Tergesa-gesa: close to terburu-buru, slightly more formal/literary. Related verb: bergegas (“to hurry up,” as an action).

Is ke kereta natural? Should it be ke stasiun or naik kereta?

Ke kereta (“to the train”) is understandable and fine, especially if the train is right there (e.g., on the platform). Alternatives depending on nuance:

Destination: ke stasiun (“to the station”).
Heading toward: menuju kereta.
Catching/chasing: mengejar kereta.
Purpose: untuk naik kereta (“to board the train”).

Should I say kereta or kereta api? And doesn’t kereta mean “car” in Malaysia?

In Indonesia, kereta or kereta api both mean “train,” with kereta very common in speech. In Malaysia, kereta means “car,” which can cause cross‑regional confusion, but within Indonesian usage kereta = train.

Can I put the reason first: Karena terburu-buru ke kereta, dia lupa…? Do I need a comma?

Yes. Fronting the reason is natural. Use a comma after the initial clause: Karena terburu-buru ke kereta, dia lupa mengambil kembalian.

Why isn’t there a second dia after karena? Should it be karena dia terburu-buru…?

Both are fine. Indonesian often drops the repeated subject in the subordinate clause when it’s clear from context:

Dia lupa … karena dia terburu-buru… (explicit)
Dia lupa … karena terburu-buru… (subject omitted, still clear)

Is there any difference between karena and sebab?

Both mean “because.” Karena is more common in everyday speech. Sebab is a bit more formal and also a noun meaning “cause/reason.” In this sentence, karena is the most natural choice.

How can I say “He was so rushed that he forgot to take the change”?

Two natural patterns:

Saking terburu-burunya, dia lupa mengambil kembalian.
Dia begitu terburu-buru sehingga lupa mengambil kembalian.

Any tips on pronouncing terburu-buru and kembalian?

terburu-buru: the first e is a schwa (like “uh”); u like “oo” in “food”; tap/trill the r; stress typically on the penultimate syllables: ter-BU-ru BU-ru.
kembalian: e is schwa; stress often ke-mba-LI-an.

Can lupa take a noun directly, or do I need a verb? What about melupakan?

Lupa + verb is very common: lupa mengambil, lupa membawa (forgot to bring).
Lupa + noun exists but can be vague: Dia lupa kunci (he forgot the key) often implies “forgot to bring the key.” For actions like taking change, a verb is clearer: lupa mengambil kembalian.
Melupakan (“to forget/put out of mind”) suits abstract things: melupakan masa lalu (forget the past). It’s not used for “forgot to take the change.”