Saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat.

I

Breakdown of Saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat.

• di: at
• tentang: about
• jadwal rapat: the meeting schedule

Questions & Answers about Saya tanya-tanya di perpustakaan tentang jadwal rapat.

What nuance does the reduplication in tanya-tanya add compared to just tanya?

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 instead of ?