Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya membeli dua apel dan satu pisang di kedai dekat rumah. - I bought two apples and one banana at the shop near the house.

Both are correct. Dua apel is perfectly natural in everyday Indonesian.
Adding the classifier makes it a bit more explicit or formal: dua buah apel, satu buah pisang.
With the number one, you can also use the fused form sebuah pisang (from satu + buah).
Classifiers are optional in Indonesian, unlike in some other languages.

Why do numbers come before the noun (dua apel), not after?

In Indonesian, numerals go before the noun: dua apel, tiga buku. You generally do not put the number after the noun.

Should I pluralize the noun (apel-apel) when a number is already there?

No. With numerals, do not reduplicate. Use dua apel, not dua apel-apel. Reduplication (e.g., apel-apel) is for general plurality or variety, not when a specific number is given.

Does Saya membeli indicate past tense, or could it be present/future?

Indonesian verbs don’t change for tense. Saya membeli can mean past, present, or future depending on context. Add time words if needed:

Past/completed: sudah, tadi, kemarin (e.g., Saya sudah membeli…)
Future: akan, nanti (e.g., Saya akan membeli…)
Ongoing: sedang (e.g., Saya sedang membeli…)

What’s the difference between membeli and beli?

Membeli is the formal/standard active verb (meN- + beli).
Beli is the bare root, very common in everyday speech: Saya beli dua apel…
Both are correct; membeli feels more formal or written.

Why use Saya instead of Aku? Are there other options?

Saya = neutral/formal I. Safe in most situations.
Aku = informal/intimate.
Colloquial regional forms exist (e.g., gue in Jakarta).
Choose based on formality and your relationship with the listener.

Why di kedai and not ke kedai or pada kedai?

di marks location (at/in/on): di kedai = at the shop.
ke marks movement/direction: ke kedai = to the shop.
pada is not used for physical locations like shops; it’s used with time, people, or abstract targets.

Is dekat used correctly here? What’s the difference between dekat rumah, dekat dengan rumah, and di dekat rumah?

dekat rumah (colloquial) and dekat dengan rumah (more explicit/formal) both mean near the house and can modify a noun: kedai dekat rumah.
di dekat rumah is a full prepositional phrase meaning in the vicinity of the house.
In your sentence, di kedai dekat rumah means at the shop that is near the house.

Why is dekat rumah placed after kedai?

Modifiers follow the noun in Indonesian. So you get kedai dekat rumah (the shop near the house), not the other way around.

Is rumah here understood as my house even though it doesn’t say rumah saya?

Often yes, from context. But if you want to be explicit, say dekat rumah saya or dekat rumahku. Without a possessive, dekat rumah could be generic near a house, but conversation usually makes it clear.

What’s the nuance difference between kedai, toko, and warung?

Toko: general word for store/shop (very common).
Warung: small, often family-run stall/eatery/convenience stand.
Kedai: small shop; often heard in Malay and in collocations like kedai kopi (coffee shop). In Indonesian, toko or warung might be more common depending on the place.

Could I say di dekat rumah instead of di kedai dekat rumah?

Di dekat rumah = at/near the house (a location), without specifying a shop.
Di kedai dekat rumah = at the specific shop that is near the house.
Use the one that matches what you want to emphasize.

How do I make it clear it’s that specific shop near my house?

Use demonstratives: di kedai dekat rumah saya itu (at that shop near my house).
You can also add yang to form a clearer modifier: di kedai yang dekat rumah saya itu.

Can I use yang: di kedai yang dekat rumah?

Yes. Yang introduces a relative clause, making the modifier explicit: kedai yang dekat rumah (saya). It’s common and clear, especially in formal contexts.

Is dan the right connector here? Would serta work?

Dan is the standard and most common for and: dua apel dan satu pisang.
Serta is more formal/literary and less common in everyday speech; dan is preferred here.

How do I say one banana with se- forms? Is sebuah pisang okay?

Yes: sebuah pisang is fine (se- + buah). For fruit, buah is the general classifier. You could also say satu pisang or satu buah pisang. Avoid classifiers like butir here (that’s for eggs, pearls, etc.).

Any spelling/spacing pitfalls with di?

Yes. As a preposition, di must be written separately: di kedai, di rumah.
Only the passive prefix di- attaches to verbs (e.g., dibeli). Don’t write dikedai.

How would I add adjectives like red to apples?

Adjectives go after the noun. Number + (classifier) + noun + adjective:

dua apel merah (two red apples)
dua buah apel merah besar (two big red apples)

Can I front the location for emphasis?

Yes: Di kedai dekat rumah, saya membeli dua apel dan satu pisang. This emphasizes the location first; it’s common in Indonesian.

How should I pronounce tricky words here?

Approximate guide:

saya: SA-ya
membeli: məm-BƏ-lee
apel: AH-pəl
pisang: PEE-sang
kedai: kə-DAI (like die)
dekat: də-KAT
Vowel quality varies by region; being clear on syllables and stress is usually enough.