Breakdown of Dia membawa apel ke kantor dan pisang untuk adiknya.
sebuah
a
dia
he/she
kantor
the office
dan
and
Questions & Answers about Dia membawa apel ke kantor dan pisang untuk adiknya.
Does Dia mean “he” or “she”? Is it gendered?
Dia is a gender-neutral third-person singular pronoun; it can mean “he” or “she.” For formal writing you may see ia (mostly as a subject). For respectful reference to elders or VIPs, use beliau. “They” (plural) is mereka; Indonesian doesn’t have a singular “they.”
What tense is membawa? How do I say past, present, or future?
Indonesian verbs don’t change for tense. Dia membawa can mean “brought,” “is bringing,” or “brings,” depending on context. Add time/aspect words when needed:
- Past: Dia sudah membawa…, Kemarin dia membawa…
- Progressive: Dia sedang membawa…
- Future: Dia akan membawa…, Nanti dia akan membawa…
Why membawa and not bawa?
Membawa is the standard active form (meN- prefix + root). Bawa is the bare root, common in casual speech and imperatives:
- Casual: Dia bawa apel ke kantor…
- Imperative: Bawa apel itu! Note: meN- + b = mem-, hence mem-bawa → membawa.
Should it be membawakan because the bananas are for someone?