Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Menurutku, rute ini terbaik untuk mengantar materi ke sekolah. - In my opinion, this route is best for delivering the material to the school.

Yes. Menurutku (ku = my) is neutral–informal. Menurut saya is more formal/polite and safe in professional settings. Very casual options include Menurut aku or Jakarta slang Menurut gue. All mean “in my opinion.”

Do I need the comma after Menurutku?

It’s optional but good style. When a sentence starts with a phrase like Menurutku, many writers add a comma: Menurutku, … Without it is also acceptable.

Why isn’t there an adalah before terbaik?

With adjectives, Indonesian usually drops a copula. So Rute ini terbaik is fine. If you use adalah, it should link to a noun phrase: Rute ini adalah rute terbaik or Rute ini adalah yang terbaik. Avoid Rute ini adalah terbaik.

Is Rute ini terbaik natural, or should it be Rute ini yang terbaik?

Both are possible. Many speakers prefer Rute ini yang terbaik or Ini rute terbaik; they sound a bit smoother. Rute ini terbaik is grammatical but less common in careful speech/writing.

What’s the difference between terbaik and paling baik?

They both mean “the best.” Terbaik is a one-word superlative and slightly more formal/compact; paling baik is very common in everyday speech. Don’t combine them (✗ paling terbaik).

Why is ini after the noun (rute ini) and not before?

Demonstratives follow the noun in Indonesian: rute ini = “this route.” Ini rute means “this is a route” (a full clause) or can introduce a noun in speech, but as a noun phrase subject, use rute ini.

Is untuk mengantar the right way to say “for delivering”?

Yes. Untuk + verb expresses purpose/suitability. Here it’s “best for delivering.” Informal: buat nganterin. If you mean “send (not physically accompany),” use untuk mengirim/mengirimkan.

What’s the nuance difference between mengantar, mengantarkan, and mengirim/mengirimkan?

Mengantar: to take/escort/deliver by physically bringing something/someone somewhere (very common).
Mengantarkan: more formal or emphasizes causing something/someone to reach a destination; interchangeable with mengantar in many contexts.
Mengirim/mengirimkan: to send (e.g., by courier/post/digital), not physically escort.

Does materi mean physical “materials” here? Would bahan ajar be better?

Materi can be “material/content,” and in school contexts it often refers to teaching materials (handouts, printouts). If you want to be explicit about physical teaching materials, bahan ajar or materi pelajaran works well.

Why ke sekolah and not kepada sekolah? Can I drop the preposition?

Use ke for destinations/places: ke sekolah. Kepada is for recipients (usually people/institutions) in acts like writing/speaking: menulis kepada sekolah. Don’t drop it: mengantar materi sekolah means “deliver school materials” (modifying “materials”), not “deliver materials to the school.”

What does ke sekolahnya mean compared to ke sekolah?

Ke sekolah = to (the) school (generic or contextually known). Ke sekolahnya = to his/her/their/that specific school (definite/possessive nuance via -nya).

Is there any tense marking needed (e.g., “will deliver”)?

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense the way English does. Context handles time. Don’t say untuk akan mengantar. If you must show future, add time words: nanti, besok, or put akan in the main clause (not inside untuk): Menurutku, rute ini yang terbaik kalau nanti mengantar materi ke sekolah.

Could I front the purpose phrase?

Yes: Menurutku, untuk mengantar materi ke sekolah, rute ini (yang) terbaik. That’s fine and adds emphasis to the purpose.

Are there more natural alternatives overall?

Common, smooth options:

Menurutku, rute ini yang terbaik untuk mengantar materi ke sekolah.
Menurut saya, ini rute terbaik untuk mengantarkan materi ke sekolah.
For a “route” nuance: Menurut saya, rute ini paling efisien untuk mengantar materi ke sekolah.

Is rute the best word, or should I use jalur?

Both can work. Rute fits planned paths/itineraries (logistics, delivery). Jalur can mean lane/trail/line and is broader. For delivery planning, rute is usually the safest choice.