Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya lebih suka apel daripada permen.

Lebih means “more.” Putting it before suka makes a comparative: lebih suka X daripada Y = “prefer X to Y.” Without lebih, Saya suka apel just means “I like apples,” not a comparison.

Can I replace daripada with dari or ketimbang?

Daripada is the standard “than” for comparisons: lebih … daripada …
Dari is very common in speech and widely accepted: lebih … dari …
Ketimbang is casual/colloquial and common, especially around Jakarta.
With numbers/amounts, use dari: lebih dari 10 (“more than 10”), not lebih daripada 10.

Is daripada written as one word or two?

One word: daripada. Writing dari pada is a different construction and not what you want for “than.”

Can I drop the subject Saya?

Yes, if it’s clear from context: (Saya) lebih suka apel daripada permen. In informal speech you can also use aku (informal) or gue (very colloquial, Jakarta).

Do I need to pluralize apel or permen to talk about apples or candy in general?

No. Indonesian nouns don’t change for plural. Apel and permen here are generic (apples/candy in general). To emphasize plurality, use a quantifier: banyak apel, beberapa permen. Reduplication (apel-apel) exists but is not needed here.

Should I add a classifier like sebuah before apel or permen?

Not in a general statement. Classifiers show quantity:

One apple: sebuah apel or simply satu apel.
One candy: commonly satu permen (you may see sebuah permen, but plain numbers are very common).
For packages: sebungkus permen (“a packet of candy”).

Could I say Saya paling suka apel? What’s the difference?

Yes. Paling is a superlative: Saya paling suka apel = “I like apples the most (of all options).” The original lebih suka X daripada Y compares exactly two things.

Is suka a verb or an adjective? Do I need a preposition like in English?

Suka behaves like a stative verb/adjective meaning “to like; be fond of,” and it takes its object directly: Saya suka apel. You don’t need a preposition. You may hear suka pada/sama (esp. for liking people) in informal speech, but it’s not required here.

What about lebih menyukai or lebih memilih? Are they okay?

Yes.

Lebih menyukai is a bit more formal: Saya lebih menyukai apel daripada permen.
Lebih memilih emphasizes choosing: Saya lebih memilih apel (dibandingkan/daripada) permen.

Is this sentence formal? Could I use aku instead of saya?

Saya is neutral/polite and works everywhere. Aku is informal/intimate; gue is very colloquial Jakarta slang. The rest of the sentence stays the same.

Can I put lebih after suka, like suka lebih?

No. Lebih comes before the word it modifies: lebih suka, lebih besar, etc. Don’t say suka lebih apel. Keep: Saya lebih suka apel daripada permen.

How do I pronounce the sentence naturally?

Saya: sa-ya (the y as in “yes”).
lebih: le-bih (final h is audible; the first e is like a schwa).
suka: su-ka.
apel: a-pel (the e often like a schwa).
daripada: da-ri-pa-da.
permen: pər-men (first e schwa, second e like “e” in “men”).
Tap the Indonesian r lightly.

Does apel ever mean something besides the fruit?

Yes. Apel can also mean “roll call/assembly,” especially in military or school contexts (e.g., apel pagi). In your sentence, the meaning is clearly the fruit.

Can I omit daripada permen if the alternative is obvious?

Yes. If the contrast is understood, you can say Saya lebih suka apel (“I prefer apples”). If it isn’t clear, include daripada permen.

How would I ask “Do you prefer apples or candy?” using the same pattern?

Kamu lebih suka apel atau permen? (informal)
Polite: Anda lebih suka apel atau permen?
Answer: Saya lebih suka apel.

Can daripada compare actions too, not just nouns?

Yes. For “rather than (do A), (do B),” say: Daripada makan permen, lebih baik makan apel. In casual speech: Daripada makan permen, mending makan apel.

Can I intensify or soften the preference?

Yes:

Stronger: Saya jauh lebih suka apel daripada permen. (“I like apples much more…”)
Softer: Saya sedikit/agak lebih suka apel daripada permen. (“I somewhat/slightly prefer…”)

Do I ever need yang here, like yang apel?

Not in this sentence. Yang can help specify a subset: Saya lebih suka yang manis (“I prefer the sweet ones”) or Saya lebih suka apel yang hijau (“I prefer green apples”), but not yang apel.