Saya pinjam satu buku di perpustakaan.

I borrow one book at the library.

Breakdown of Saya pinjam satu buku di perpustakaan.

• buku: the book
• saya: I
• di: at
• perpustakaan: the library
• pinjam: to borrow
• satu: one

Questions & Answers about Saya pinjam satu buku di perpustakaan.

Is it okay to say Saya pinjam, or should it be Saya meminjam?

Both are acceptable. Saya meminjam is the standard, neutral form (good for writing and formal speech). Saya pinjam is common in everyday conversation and sounds more casual. In very casual speech you may also hear Aku pinjam.

What’s the difference between meminjam and meminjamkan (borrow vs. lend)? What about meminjami?

• meminjam = to borrow. Example: Saya meminjam buku.
• meminjamkan = to lend (something to someone). Example: Dia meminjamkan saya sebuah buku or Dia meminjamkan sebuah buku kepada saya.
• meminjami also means to lend (focus on the recipient), but it’s less common than meminjamkan. Example: Dia meminjami saya buku.

Do I need satu? Could I use sebuah or nothing? And what about satu buah buku?

• satu literally means one and emphasizes the number: satu buku.
• sebuah works like an indefinite article (a book): sebuah buku. It doesn’t stress the number.
• satu buah buku is grammatically fine but heavy; use it only if you really need to stress the count (often in formal or measured contexts).
• You can also drop the number: Saya meminjam buku (could mean a book or books, context decides).
• To be clearly plural, say beberapa buku, dua/ tiga buku, or buku-buku.

Should it be di perpustakaan or dari perpustakaan? What about ke perpustakaan?

• di perpustakaan = at/in the library (location of the action): Saya meminjam satu buku di perpustakaan.
• dari perpustakaan = from the library (source): Saya meminjam satu buku dari perpustakaan.
• ke perpustakaan = to the library (direction), used with movement verbs: Saya pergi ke perpustakaan untuk meminjam buku.

Where does di perpustakaan go in the sentence? Is the word order flexible?

Default word order is Subject–Verb–Object–Place/Time: Saya meminjam satu buku di perpustakaan. You can front the place for emphasis or context: Di perpustakaan, saya meminjam satu buku. Avoid splitting the object awkwardly: Saya meminjam di perpustakaan satu buku sounds odd.

Is buku satu okay, or must it be satu buku?

Use satu buku for one book. buku satu is used for labels or numbering (Book One/Volume 1) or special contrast, not for the neutral meaning one book.

How do I make it clearly past (I borrowed, not I borrow)?

Indonesian has no tense inflection, so add time/aspect markers:

• Completion: sudah (neutral), telah (formal). Example: Saya sudah meminjam satu buku.
• Time words: tadi, kemarin, barusan. Example: Tadi saya meminjam satu buku di perpustakaan.

Can I use sedang or lagi for the progressive (in the middle of borrowing)?

You can, but because borrowing is quick, it can sound odd. More natural:

• Saya sedang di perpustakaan (untuk) meminjam buku.
• Saya lagi di perpustakaan mau meminjam buku.

How do I negate the sentence properly?

Use tidak to negate the verb: Saya tidak meminjam buku di perpustakaan. Use bukan to negate a noun/equative, not a verb phrase: Itu bukan perpustakaan.

Any spelling pitfalls with di?

Yes. As a preposition (at/in), di is written separately: di perpustakaan.
As a passive prefix, di- is attached to the verb: dipinjam, ditulis.
So di pinjam (with a space) is wrong when you mean dipinjam.

Should I use saya, aku, or something else for I?

• saya: polite/neutral, safe in most contexts.
• aku: casual/intimate, with friends/family.
• gue (Jakarta slang) or other regional forms: very informal and regional.

Can I abbreviate perpustakaan?

In casual speech and informal writing, yes: perpus.
Keep perpustakaan in formal contexts.

Do I need a classifier like buah with buku?

Not required. You can say satu buku or sebuah buku.
buah is a general classifier; sebuah buku is common and natural. satu buah buku is correct but wordy. In library contexts you may also see satu eksemplar buku (one copy).

How do I politely ask to borrow?

• Polite: Boleh saya pinjam bukunya? / Bisakah saya meminjam buku ini?
• Casual: Saya pinjam bukunya ya? / Pinjam dong bukunya.

Is there a passive way to say it?

Yes:

• Patient-fronted active: Buku itu saya pinjam di perpustakaan.
• Passive: Sebuah buku dipinjam dari perpustakaan.
  If someone lent you a book: Saya dipinjami/dipinjamkan sebuah buku oleh dia, with dipinjamkan more common.