Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya akan menjawab pertanyaan apa pun sesingkat mungkin. - I will answer any question as briefly as possible.

Akan is a modal that marks future intention, roughly “will/going to.” It’s not required; Indonesian often omits it when context already implies the future. Using akan adds clarity and a slightly more formal tone.

If I drop the future marker, how does the meaning change?

Without akan (so: Saya menjawab …), it can read as a general policy/habit (“I answer …”) or still future if context supplies it (e.g., with nanti “later”). With akan, the future is explicit.

Why is it menjawab and not just the base jawab?

Menjawab is the active transitive verb formed with the meN- prefix from the root jawab (“answer”). It’s the default when you take a direct object like pertanyaan (“question”).

Can I use the bare form jawab instead of menjawab?

Yes, in two common cases:

After modals in informal speech: Saya akan jawab pertanyaan … (colloquial; formal writing prefers menjawab).
When the object is fronted: Pertanyaan … akan saya jawab … (the verb appears as bare jawab, not menjawab). The bare form also appears in imperatives: Jawab! (“Answer!”).

Does menjawab require an object?

Typically yes—you “answer something.” If the object is understood, Indonesians often add a pronoun: Saya akan menjawabnya (“I’ll answer it”). For replying to a message, membalas (“to reply”) can be more natural: Saya akan membalas pesanmu.

What’s the difference between pertanyaan and soal?

Pertanyaan = a question someone asks in conversation/interview/QA.
Soal = a test/exam item or an “issue/matter.” In exams you solve soal, not pertanyaan (though you can also say pertanyaan ujian).

Should it be written apa pun or apapun?

Write apa pun as two words in standard Indonesian, because pun is a particle. You will see apapun online, but it’s nonstandard in formal writing.

How is apa pun different from apa saja?

Both can mean “any(thing),” but:

Apa pun = “no matter what,” more emphatic/neutral-formal.
Apa saja = “any of them/whatever (from a set),” a bit more colloquial. In this sentence either works; apa pun feels slightly more emphatic.

Is the order pertanyaan apa pun fixed? Can I say it another way?

Use pertanyaan apa pun (noun + apa pun). You can also say apa pun pertanyaannya (“whatever the question is,” with -nya), which is a different structure. Putting apa pun before the noun without -nya (e.g., “apa pun pertanyaan”) is not idiomatic.

What does the particle pun mean more generally?

It often means “even/also/at all,” and attaches after the word it modifies:

Saya pun ikut. = “I also joined.”
Tak seorang pun… = “No one at all…”
Di mana pun = “wherever” In apa pun, it yields “whatever/any.”

What does sesingkat mungkin literally mean, and how is it formed?

It’s the pattern se- + adjective + mungkin = “as [adjective] as possible.” So sesingkat mungkin = “as brief as possible.” Other examples: secepat mungkin (as fast as possible), sejelas mungkin (as clear as possible).

Are there good alternatives to sesingkat mungkin?

Sesingkat-singkatnya = also “as brief as possible” (a bit more formal/literary).
Secara singkat = “briefly” (no “as possible” nuance).
Sebisa mungkin = “as best as I can/if possible” (focuses on ability/feasibility, not brevity).
Sependek mungkin = “as short as possible” (physical/length/duration); for wording, sesingkat is more idiomatic.

Where can I place sesingkat mungkin in the sentence?

Most natural is after the object: … menjawab pertanyaan … sesingkat mungkin. You can front it for emphasis: Sesingkat mungkin, saya akan menjawab … Placing it between the verb and object is uncommon; putting it before the verb (Saya akan sesingkat mungkin menjawab …) sounds awkward.

How would I say this in a passive-like way?

Two common options:

Object-fronting (still active): Pertanyaan apa pun akan saya jawab sesingkat mungkin.
Passive with di-: Pertanyaan apa pun akan dijawab sesingkat mungkin (oleh saya). The first highlights “I” as the doer; the second emphasizes the action/result.

Does pertanyaan here mean one question or multiple?

Indonesian doesn’t mark plural on nouns. With apa pun, it means “any question(s)” in general; singular or plural depends on context.

Is Saya the best pronoun here? What about aku?

Saya is neutral-polite and suits most contexts. Aku is casual/intimate. The verb and the rest of the sentence stay the same.

Any pronunciation or spelling gotchas?

Menjawab is meN- + jawab; pronounce it roughly “men-jah-wab.” The prefix appears as men- before j.
Sesingkat is one word (no hyphen). The pattern se- + adjective is normally written solid.
Apa pun is two words.