Kadang-kadang sinyal internet terputus di perpustakaan.

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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).