Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat. - I ask around at the library about the meeting schedule.

It means “to ask around” in a casual, exploratory way, usually to multiple people or sources. Without reduplication (Saya tanya …), it sounds like a single, more direct instance of asking.

How is tanya-tanya different from bertanya, menanyakan, menanyai, and bertanya-tanya?

tanya-tanya: informal “ask around” (multiple/casual inquiries).
bertanya: neutral “to ask (a question)” to someone.
menanyakan + sesuatu: “to ask about something” (the thing is the object).
menanyai + seseorang: “to question someone” (the person is the object).
bertanya-tanya: “to wonder” (asking oneself), not “ask around.” Examples:
Saya bertanya kepada pustakawan tentang jadwal rapat.
Saya menanyakan jadwal rapat kepada pustakawan.
Saya menanyai beberapa mahasiswa tentang jadwal rapat.
Saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat.
Saya bertanya-tanya kapan rapatnya.

Is tanya-tanya appropriate in formal writing or speech?

It’s informal. In formal contexts prefer bertanya, menanyakan, or a passive/object-fronted form.

Can I say Saya tanya instead of Saya tanya-tanya?

Yes. Saya tanya … implies a single, direct question. Saya tanya-tanya … suggests multiple or exploratory queries. For a more standard tone, use Saya bertanya ….

Why is di used before perpustakaan here? Could I use ke?

di marks location (“at/in the library”). ke marks movement (“to the library”). Your sentence is about asking at a place, so di is correct. If you mean going there, say: Saya pergi ke perpustakaan untuk tanya-tanya …

How do I specify who I asked?

Use a recipient marker plus a person:

Formal: kepada/pada: Saya bertanya kepada pustakawan tentang jadwal rapat.
Colloquial: ke/sama: Saya tanya-tanya sama petugas perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat. With menanyai, the person becomes the direct object: Saya menanyai beberapa mahasiswa.

Can I move di perpustakaan to the end? Does the meaning change?

Yes: Saya tanya-tanya tentang jadwal rapat di perpustakaan. The meaning stays the same (place of the asking). Indonesian word order is flexible; put place/time near the verb for clarity.

Could I replace tentang with mengenai or soal?

Yes. mengenai is a bit more formal; soal is more colloquial. All mean “about” here:

… mengenai jadwal rapat
… soal jadwal rapat

How would I say it in a more formal style?

Saya bertanya di perpustakaan mengenai jadwal rapat.
Saya menanyakan jadwal rapat di perpustakaan.

How do I clearly express past time in Indonesian?

Add a time word: tadi, barusan, kemarin, etc. Example: Tadi saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat.

Can I drop the subject Saya?

Yes, if context makes it clear: Tadi tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat. In careful writing, keeping Saya is clearer.

How do I make a passive or object-fronted version?

Passive: Jadwal rapat ditanyakan (oleh saya) di perpustakaan.
Object-fronted with -kan: Jadwal rapat saya tanyakan di perpustakaan. These sound more formal/report-like.

What is the structure of jadwal rapat?

Head noun + modifier: jadwal (schedule) + rapat (meeting) = “meeting schedule.” Indonesian puts the head first, modifier after.

How do I say “the meeting schedule” rather than “a meeting schedule”?

Use itu or -nya for definiteness:

jadwal rapat itu
jadwal rapatnya (can also mean “its meeting schedule,” depending on context). Example: Saya menanyakan jadwal rapatnya.

Is rapat the only word for “meeting”? What about pertemuan and agenda?

rapat: organizational/official meeting; most common with jadwal.
pertemuan: “meeting/session/encounter”; broader meaning.
agenda rapat: “meeting agenda” (topics), not the schedule.

Do I need the hyphen in tanya-tanya?

Yes. Standard spelling hyphenates reduplication (tanya-tanya). In casual texting people may drop it, but keep the hyphen in proper writing.

Could tanya-tanya sound nosy?

Sometimes, depending on context. To avoid a prying tone, use neutral forms like bertanya/menanyakan, or add purpose: Saya tanya-tanya untuk memastikan jadwalnya.

Can I use Aku instead of Saya?

Yes. Saya is polite/neutral and safe in most situations; aku is informal/intimate. Choose based on your relationship with the listener.

Is menanya used?

It exists but is uncommon. Prefer bertanya, menanyakan (ask about something), or menanyai (ask someone).