Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Menurut bos, karyawan laki-laki itu tegas dan jujur. - According to the boss, that male employee is firm and honest.

Menurut introduces the source of an opinion or information, like “according to.” It takes a noun/pronoun after it: menurut bos, menurut saya, menurutnya. It doesn’t change the clause’s word order; it just frames the statement as someone’s view.

Do I need the comma after Menurut bos?

Yes, a comma is recommended when a prepositional phrase like Menurut bos is fronted. Without the comma, the reader might momentarily parse it as part of the subject (or as “according to the boss of …”). So: Menurut bos, … is the clean, standard choice.

Why is there no adalah before the adjectives?

In Indonesian, adjectives can serve directly as the predicate: X [adjective]. You generally use adalah to link two noun phrases (equatives), e.g., X adalah [noun]. So karyawan … itu tegas dan jujur is correct; … adalah tegas dan jujur is ungrammatical.

What does itu do after karyawan laki-laki?

Itu is a demonstrative that also functions as a definiteness marker (“that/the specific one”). It follows the entire noun phrase: karyawan laki-laki itu. Without context, it tends to refer to a specific, identifiable person rather than someone generic.

Is the subject here singular or plural?

With a non-reduplicated noun plus itu, readers usually assume singular. To make it clearly plural, use para or reduplication: para karyawan laki-laki itu or karyawan-karyawan laki-laki itu. Context can also disambiguate number.

Why is it karyawan laki-laki, not laki-laki karyawan?

In Indonesian noun phrases, descriptors typically follow the head noun. Karyawan (employee) is the head, and laki-laki (male) specifies it, so the order is karyawan laki-laki. Reversing it would be ungrammatical.

Is laki-laki the same as pria, lelaki, or cowok?

All mean “male/man,” but the register differs. Laki-laki is neutral and common; pria is more formal (e.g., forms, signage); lelaki is literary; cowok is colloquial. For workplaces, karyawan pria or karyawan laki-laki are both common, with pria feeling a bit more formal.

Does laki-laki need the hyphen?

Yes. It’s a standard reduplication form and should be laki-laki with a hyphen. One-word lelaki also exists (more literary). Writing it as two separate words is nonstandard.

Could I move the menurut phrase elsewhere?

Yes. You can place it at the end or even mid-clause with commas:

Karyawan laki-laki itu tegas dan jujur, menurut bos.
Karyawan laki-laki itu, menurut bos, tegas dan jujur.
Fronting it (as in the given sentence) is very common.

What’s the difference between menurut bos and kata bos?

Menurut bos frames it as the boss’s assessment or view. Kata bos is closer to “the boss said,” highlighting reported speech. Both are fine; pick based on whether you emphasize opinion (menurut) or quotation/reporting (kata).

How can I specify whose boss? For example, “according to his boss” or “my boss”?

Add a possessor: menurut bosnya (his/her boss), menurut bos saya/kami (my/our boss), menurut bos mereka (their boss). To say “the boss of that employee,” use menurut bos karyawan itu.

Should I insert yang before the adjectives (e.g., yang tegas dan jujur)?

Not in this predicative structure. … itu tegas dan jujur is a complete clause. … itu yang tegas dan jujur turns it into a relative clause or contrastive focus and normally needs a continuation (e.g., … adalah pilihan terbaik). Use yang when the adjective modifies the noun inside the noun phrase: karyawan yang tegas.

Do I need dan between the two adjectives?

Yes, use dan to connect the final two items: tegas dan jujur. A comma-only list without dan is informal and more typical in creative writing; for standard prose, keep dan.

Is the order tegas dan jujur fixed?

No. Jujur dan tegas is also fine. Indonesian doesn’t enforce a strict order for multiple adjectives; order can reflect subtle emphasis or rhythm.

Is the sentence formal or informal? Would another word for “boss” change the tone?

With bos, it’s neutral to slightly informal. For a more formal tone, use atasan or pimpinan: Menurut atasan, … / Menurut pimpinan, …. You can also address a specific person politely: Menurut Bapak/Ibu ….

Is it natural to mention gender here? Could I just say “employee”?

Indonesian often omits gender unless it’s relevant. If gender isn’t the point, karyawan itu is more natural. Specify laki-laki/pria only when the male aspect matters (e.g., in a contrast or requirement).

How do I pronounce the key words?

Approximate guide:

menurut: mə-NOO-root
bos: bohss
karyawan: kar-ya-WAN (stress near the end)
laki-laki: lah-kee LAH-kee
tegas: tə-GAS
jujur: joo-JOOR (both “u” as in “food”)