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Breakdown of Kadang-kadang sinyal internet terputus di perpustakaan.
di
in
perpustakaan
the library
kadang-kadang
sometimes
terputus
to be cut off
sinyal internet
the internet signal
Questions & Answers about Kadang-kadang sinyal internet terputus di perpustakaan.
Can I use kadang instead of kadang-kadang? What about terkadang or sesekali?
- kadang-kadang is the standard form (reduplication) for “sometimes.” The hyphen is part of correct spelling.
- kadang is common in speech and informal writing; meaning is the same.
- terkadang (one word) is also common, slightly more formal or written.
- sesekali means “once in a while” (usually less frequent than kadang-kadang).
- kadang kala (two words) is a stylistic variant you might see in writing.
Do I need the hyphen in kadang-kadang? Is kadang kadang okay?
Use the hyphen. kadang-kadang is the correct, standard spelling. kadang kadang (with a space) and kadangkadang (no hyphen) are nonstandard.
Can I put kadang-kadang in other positions?
Yes. All of these are natural:
- Kadang-kadang sinyal internet terputus di perpustakaan.
- Sinyal internet kadang-kadang terputus di perpustakaan.
- Di perpustakaan, kadang-kadang sinyal internet terputus.
Putting it at the very end (… terputus kadang-kadang) is possible but less common.
Do I need a comma after sentence-initial kadang-kadang?
A comma is optional. Many writers omit it after a short adverb like kadang-kadang, but using one is acceptable if you want a slight pause.
What does the prefix ter- add in terputus? How is that different from putus, memutus, and memutuskan?
- putus = broken/off/disconnected (a state). Example idea: “The signal is off.”
- terputus = becomes/is disconnected, often with an “unintentional/accidental” nuance or a neutral stative voice. Great for events like a connection dropping on its own.
- memutus = to disconnect/cut something (active, deliberate). Example idea: “They disconnected the Wi‑Fi.”
- memutuskan most often means “to decide,” though it can mean “to sever/break off” with certain objects (e.g., memutuskan hubungan).
Is terputus-putus different from terputus?
Yes.
- terputus = disconnected (goes off).
- terputus-putus = choppy/patchy, cutting in and out.
If you mean the connection is intermittent, use terputus-putus.
Is sinyal internet the best phrase here? What about koneksi internet or jaringan?
- sinyal internet focuses on signal strength/reception (e.g., Wi‑Fi/cellular bars).
- koneksi internet is broader: the connection itself (speed, uptime, routing).
- jaringan is the network/infrastructure layer. All are possible; pick based on what you want to emphasize. In a library context, sinyal Wi‑Fi, sinyal internet, or koneksi internet are all natural.
How do I know di here is a preposition (“at/in”) and not the passive prefix di-?
- Preposition di is a separate word before a place noun: di perpustakaan (“at/in the library”). It always has a space after it.
- Prefix di- attaches to a verb in passive forms (e.g., ditutup, dibawa). There’s no space between di- and the verb.
Should it be di, di dalam, pada, or ke before perpustakaan?
- di perpustakaan = at/in the library (most common and neutral).
- di dalam perpustakaan = explicitly “inside the library” (adds the “inside” nuance).
- pada perpustakaan is generally not used for physical location in modern usage; prefer di.
- ke perpustakaan means movement “to the library,” not location.
There’s no “the” in the sentence. How is definiteness handled? Can I use -nya?
Indonesian has no articles. Context gives definiteness. You can add -nya for specificity or “the/that” feel:
- sinyal internetnya terputus = that specific internet signal (e.g., the library’s).
- di perpustakaannya can mean “in his/her/their/that library,” but use it only if the referent is clear. Otherwise keep di perpustakaan or say di perpustakaan itu (“in that library”).
Should I make sinyal plural (e.g., sinyal-sinyal)?
No. Indonesian doesn’t require plural marking here. sinyal already covers the general idea, like English “signal” used collectively. Reduplication (sinyal-sinyal) is used only when you truly need to emphasize multiple separate signals.
What about tense? Does this mean “sometimes it dropped” or “sometimes it drops”?
Indonesian doesn’t mark tense. Without a time marker, it’s general/habitual; kadang-kadang already implies a recurring situation. Context determines whether you mean past or present. Add time words if needed (e.g., kemarin, sering, tadi, barusan, sering kali).
Any spelling or capitalization pitfalls in this sentence?
- kadang-kadang needs the hyphen.
- internet is lowercased.
- sinyal is spelled with y (not English “signal”).
- di as a preposition is separate from the noun: di perpustakaan (never diperpustakaan).
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