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Menurut saya, komentar itu kurang jelas.

Menurut saya, komentar itu kurang jelas.
In my opinion, that comment is not clear enough.
FromLesson 25inHardcore Indonesian
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Questions & Answers about Menurut saya, komentar itu kurang jelas.

What does "menurut" do in this sentence? Is it a verb?
  • Here, menurut is a preposition meaning “according to,” introducing the source of an opinion.
  • It can be used with pronouns or nouns: menurut saya/dia/kami, menurut guru itu, menurut data ini.
  • Note: in other contexts, menurut (from the root turut) can also mean “obedient/to comply” (e.g., “Anak itu menurut”), but not in this sentence.
How is menurut saya different from saya pikir / saya rasa / saya kira?
  • menurut saya = in my opinion (neutral; frames a statement).
  • saya pikir = I think (cognitive judgment; often followed by a clause).
  • saya rasa = I feel/I think (softer, more subjective/colloquial).
  • saya kira = I suppose/I reckon (more tentative). All are fine; the choice affects tone/degree of certainty.
Is the comma after Menurut saya necessary?
No. It’s optional. The comma simply marks a natural pause: both “Menurut saya, komentar itu …” and “Menurut saya komentar itu …” are acceptable.
Can I move menurut saya to another position?

Yes:

  • Beginning: Menurut saya, komentar itu kurang jelas.
  • End (common in speech): Komentar itu kurang jelas, menurut saya.
  • Parenthetical: Komentar itu, menurut saya, kurang jelas. Meaning stays the same; position affects emphasis/flow.
Why is it komentar itu and not itu komentar?
  • Indonesian noun + demonstrative order is “noun + ini/itu”: komentar itu = “that/the comment.”
  • itu before a noun is a standalone pronoun: Itu komentar = “That is a comment.”
  • Therefore “Itu komentar kurang jelas” is odd; use Komentar itu …
How would I say “this comment” instead of “that comment”?

Use komentar ini.

  • ini = this (near the speaker), itu = that (farther/already mentioned). In many contexts, itu also works like “the.”
Can I say komentarnya kurang jelas? What about komennya?
  • komentarnya is natural and means “the comment” or “his/her comment” (context decides).
  • komennya uses informal komen (“comment”). It’s fine in casual contexts (e.g., social media).
What nuance does kurang jelas have compared with tidak jelas?
  • kurang jelas = not clear enough/insufficiently clear (softer, more diplomatic).
  • tidak jelas = unclear (stronger/blunter). Choose kurang to soften criticism.
How can I soften the statement even more?

Use hedges/modifiers:

  • menurut saya sih, sepertinya, kayaknya (informal), agak, kurang begitu. Examples:
  • “Menurut saya sih, komentar itu agak kurang jelas.”
  • “Komentar itu kurang begitu jelas buat saya.”
Does the sentence show tense? How do I refer to the earlier comment?

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense. Add time words or a relative clause:

  • Komentar tadi/barusan kurang jelas. (the comment earlier/just now)
  • Komentar yang tadi itu kurang jelas.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
  • menurut: me-NU-rut (first “e” is a schwa “uh”; “u” like “oo” in “food”; light tapped/trilled r).
  • komentar: ko-MEN-tar (pronounce the final r).
  • kurang: KOO-rang (final “ng” as in “sing”).
  • jelas: jə-LAS (the “e” is a schwa “uh”). Stress is typically on the second-to-last syllable.
Should I say menurut saya bahwa …?

No. Don’t use bahwa after menurut. Use bahwa after reporting verbs:

  • “Dia mengatakan/menjelaskan/berpendapat bahwa komentarnya kurang jelas.”
How do I make it plural: “Those comments are unclear”?
  • komentar-komentar itu kurang jelas (explicit plural via reduplication).
  • Or use a quantifier without reduplication: beberapa komentar kurang jelas. Often plural is left unmarked if context makes it clear.
Can I use other pronouns with menurut? What about kami vs kita?

Yes:

  • menurut dia, menurut mereka, menurut kami/kita.
  • kami = we (exclusive; not including the listener).
  • kita = we (inclusive; including the listener).
Is Menurut saya polite enough at work?

Yes. It’s neutral and polite. You can soften further:

  • “Maaf, menurut saya, komentar itu kurang jelas, Pak/Bu.”
  • menurut saya pribadi (in my personal view) adds tact.

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