Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Ibu menyimpan bumbu segar di kulkas agar tetap wangi. - Mother stores fresh spices in the fridge so they stay fragrant.

ibu means mother. When used like a name or address for your own mother (like “Mom”), it’s often written Ibu.
As a common noun, it’s lowercase: ibu saya or ibuku.
Ibu is also an honorific for an older woman (“Ma’am”), often shortened to Bu. Here, context suggests “Mom.”

Could I say Ibuku instead of Ibu?

Yes. Ibuku explicitly means “my mother.” Both are natural:

Ibu menyimpan ... = “Mom keeps ...” (understood from context)
Ibuku menyimpan ... = unambiguously “My mother keeps ...”

What is the root of menyimpan, and what does the prefix mean?

Root: simpan (store/keep).
Prefix meN- makes an active verb. With roots beginning with s, it becomes meny- and the s of the root drops: meN- + simpan → menyimpan (cf. sapu → menyapu).
Passive: disimpan. Colloquial: nyimpan.

How is menyimpan typically used?

Pattern: menyimpan + [object] + di + [place] (location).

menyimpan bumbu di kulkas = store spices in the fridge. Compare with motion: memasukkan bumbu ke kulkas = put the spices into the fridge.

What does bumbu cover exactly?

bumbu is a broad kitchen term: aromatics and seasonings (shallots, garlic, chilies), fresh herbs (e.g., daun bawang, kemangi), dried spices, even blended pastes (bumbu halus). Specifically dried spices = rempah-rempah.

Why is there no plural marker on bumbu?

Indonesian usually leaves plural unmarked. bumbu here means “spices/herbs” collectively. To be explicit, use:

bumbu-bumbu (various spices),
beberapa bumbu (some),
semua bumbu (all).

What does segar modify, and where does it go?

segar (“fresh”) is an adjective placed after the noun: bumbu segar. Other examples: ikan segar, sayur segar.

Is di kulkas correct, or should it be di dalam kulkas?

Both are correct.

di kulkas is the natural everyday choice (“in the fridge”).
di dalam kulkas emphasizes “inside” (useful for contrast).

What is kulkas? Is there a more formal term?

kulkas (from Dutch “koelkast”) = fridge. A neutral/formal synonym is lemari es. The freezer is freezer or bagian pembeku.

Why use di and not ke?

di marks location (where something is): di kulkas.
ke marks destination (where something goes): ke kulkas. With menyimpan, you state the end location, so di.

What does agar do? Can I use supaya or biar?

agar introduces purpose/result (“so that”). supaya is equally common/neutral; biar is more colloquial. All fit: ... agar/supaya/biar tetap wangi. agar sounds a bit more formal.

Why is there no subject after agar?

Indonesian often omits the subject in purpose clauses when it’s clear. The understood subject is bumbu: “so that [the spices] stay fragrant.” You could say agar bumbunya tetap wangi, but it’s not necessary.

What does tetap mean, and where does it go?

tetap = remain/still. It comes before adjectives/verbs: tetap wangi, tetap hangat, tetap bekerja. It implies maintaining a state.

Could I say agar menjadi wangi?

That means “so that they become fragrant” (a change). For maintaining fragrance, use agar tetap wangi (“so that they stay fragrant”).

Difference between wangi and harum?

Both mean “pleasant-smelling.”

wangi: very common, casual.
harum: slightly more literary/formal but common. Opposites: bau (smelly), busuk (rotten).

Can the agar clause come first?

Yes: Agar tetap wangi, Ibu menyimpan bumbu segar di kulkas. Use a comma when fronting the clause.

How do I make the sentence passive?

Bumbu segar disimpan di kulkas agar tetap wangi. You can add the agent with oleh if needed: ... oleh Ibu (often omitted).

How do I say “She keeps them in the fridge” with -nya?

Attach the object clitic -nya to the verb: Ibu menyimpannya di kulkas agar tetap wangi. Here -nya = “them/it” (the known bumbu).

Is menaruh the same as menyimpan?

Not exactly:

menaruh / meletakkan = to put/place (neutral, possibly temporary).
menyimpan = to store/keep (for safekeeping/future use). Here menyimpan is better.

What’s a natural colloquial version of the whole sentence?

Ibu nyimpen bumbu segar di kulkas biar tetep wangi. Changes: nyimpen (colloquial), biar (informal), tetep (spoken form of tetap).

How do I show time or habit without changing the verb?

Add time adverbs:

Past: Tadi Ibu menyimpan..., Kemarin Ibu menyimpan...
Habit: Biasanya Ibu menyimpan..., Setiap hari Ibu menyimpan... Indonesian verbs don’t inflect for tense.

Do I need an article like “the” or “a”?

No. Indonesian has no articles. Definiteness comes from context or -nya:

bumbu (spices),
bumbunya (the spices / those spices already mentioned).