Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Cuti itu disetujui bos karena laporan saya selalu tepat waktu. - That leave is approved by the boss because my reports are always on time.

Itu is the demonstrative meaning “that,” and in practice it also marks definiteness (“the”). So cuti itu = “that (specific) leave / the leave we’ve been talking about.” Post‑nominal position is the normal place for itu.

Why is the verb passive (disetujui) instead of active (menyetujui)?

Indonesian often foregrounds the patient/topic. Cuti itu disetujui (bos) = “That leave was approved (by the boss).” The active version flips the focus: Bos menyetujui cuti itu (“The boss approved that leave”). Both are correct; the passive highlights the leave.

Do I need oleh before bos (i.e., disetujui oleh bos)?

No. Oleh is optional when the agent is clear. Three common options:

Formal/explicit: disetujui oleh bos
Neutral (very common): disetujui bos
Colloquial: disetujui sama bos

Can I use the “short passive” instead: Cuti itu bos setujui?

Yes. That’s the short passive (patient + agent + base verb). It’s concise and common in writing; in speech it can sound a bit terse. Meaning is the same: the boss approved that leave.

What’s the morphology of disetujui?

Root: setuju (agree).
Active transitive: menyetujui (to approve [something]).
Passive: disetujui (to be approved).
Note: The established verb is with the suffix -i. Forms with -kan (e.g., menyetujukan) are different/causative and not used to mean “approve [something].” Also, Indonesian uses disetujui, while Malay often has dipersetujui.

Is a comma needed before karena?

No comma is needed when the because‑clause follows the main clause:
Cuti itu disetujui bos karena ...
If the reason comes first, use a comma after it:
Karena laporan saya selalu tepat waktu, cuti itu disetujui bos.

Can I put the reason first?

Yes: Karena laporan saya selalu tepat waktu, cuti itu disetujui bos. This sounds natural and slightly emphasizes the reason.

Should it be bos or bos saya?

Both are fine. Bos often implies “my boss” from context. Bos saya makes it explicit. In more formal contexts, you might use a title: Pak/Bu + Name, atasan, manajer, pimpinan.

What’s the nuance difference between bos, atasan, and pimpinan?

bos: casual/neutral, common in everyday speech.
atasan: neutral/formal for “superior.”
pimpinan: formal, “leadership” or “the leader(s),” sometimes institutional.
Use the one that fits the register and relationship.

Does laporan saya mean one report or many?

Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default, so laporan saya can mean “my report(s).” Context supplies number. To stress plural, you can say laporan‑laporan saya or use a quantifier (semua laporan saya).

Is selalu tepat waktu the only way to say “always on time”?

It’s the most common. Other options:

tidak pernah terlambat (never late)
selalu tepat pada waktunya (more formal)
selalu tepat jadwal (schedule‑focused)

Where should selalu go?

Put selalu before the predicate it modifies: selalu tepat waktu. Placing it after (tepat waktu selalu) is unusual and sounds off.

Do we need yang anywhere (e.g., Cuti itu yang disetujui bos)?

No. Yang introduces a relative clause. Use it only if you’re making a relative phrase like Cuti yang disetujui bos (“the leave that the boss approved”). In the given sentence, yang is unnecessary.

Could I say Cuti saya disetujui bos instead of Cuti itu ...?

Yes. Cuti saya = “my leave,” while Cuti itu = “that (particular) leave.” Choose based on what you want to emphasize—ownership vs a previously mentioned specific request.

Is there any register nuance with karena vs gara‑gara vs sebab?

karena: neutral and most common for “because.”
sebab: a bit more formal/literary; also a noun “cause.”
gara‑gara: informal/colloquial and often implies a negative/annoying cause.

Any tips on pronouncing disetujui?

Syllables: di‑se‑tu‑ju‑i (5 syllables). The ui is pronounced as two vowels: [u‑i], not a single diphthong. In casual speech you may hear disetujuin, but stick to disetujui in standard/formal contexts.

What’s the difference between cuti, libur, liburan, and izin?

cuti: leave from work (e.g., annual leave, maternity leave).
libur: a day off/holiday (the day itself).
liburan: a vacation/holiday trip.
izin: permission/leave pass (broader “permission,” not necessarily paid leave).