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Questions & Answers about Bukuku ada di meja.
What does "bukuku" mean, and why is it one word?
It means "my book." Indonesian attaches the possessive suffix -ku (my) to a noun: buku (book) + -ku → bukuku. It’s equivalent to buku saya.
Is there a difference between "bukuku" and "buku saya"?
Both mean "my book," but:
- bukuku feels more informal/intimate and is common in writing (stories, notes) and speech among friends.
- buku saya is neutral and polite in most situations (good for learners). You’ll also hear buku aku in casual speech where aku is used.
Do I need "ada" here? Can I say "Bukuku di meja"?
Both are fine:
- Bukuku ada di meja is standard and emphasizes that the book is present/located there.
- Bukuku di meja is also natural, especially in casual speech. It’s a shorter “X at Y” structure. Use ada when stressing presence or answering availability: “Is it here?” — “Ada.”
What does "ada" literally mean?
It means “to exist/there is/there are; to be present.” It is not the general verb “to be.” In Indonesian, you don’t use ada as the default “is”; you use it to mark existence/location. For possession, prefer punya/memiliki (e.g., Saya punya buku). Note: in some colloquial varieties you may hear Saya ada buku, but it’s less standard.
What does "di" mean, and how is it different from "ke" and "dari"?
- di = at/in/on (location): di meja (at/on the table)
- ke = to/toward (movement): ke meja (to the table)
- dari = from (source): dari meja (from the table)
Should it be "di meja" or "di atas meja" for “on the table”?
- di atas meja explicitly means “on top of the table.”
- di meja often implies “on the table” in context, but it can also mean “at the table” (e.g., sitting/working at a table). When you need to be clear about surface contact, use di atas meja.
Is "di" written separately? I’ve seen "di-" attached to words.
Yes:
- As a preposition, di is written separately: di meja.
- As a passive prefix, di- attaches to verbs: dibaca (is/was read), ditulis (is/was written).
How do I ask “Where is my book?” and answer it naturally?
- Questions: Di mana bukuku? or Bukuku di mana?
- Answers: (Bukumu) ada di meja. / Ada di atas meja. (Often the subject is dropped in the answer.)
How do I say “His/Her book is on the table”?
- Bukunya ada di meja. Here -nya means “his/her/their (sing.)” and is gender-neutral. You can also say buku dia (less compact).
Does "bukuku" mean one book or can it be plural?
Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default, so bukuku can mean “my book” or “my books,” depending on context. To make plural explicit:
- buku-bukuku (my books)
- beberapa buku saya (several of my books)
- banyak buku saya (many of my books)
Can I start with "Ada": “Ada bukuku di meja”?
Yes. Ada bukuku di meja puts focus on existence/presence: “There is my book on the table.” It’s fine, sometimes sounding a bit more exclamatory or introducing new information. You can also say Di meja ada bukuku to focus on the location first.
Is there an Indonesian word for “is”? Why isn’t it used here?
Indonesian usually omits a present-tense “to be.” For identity/definition you might use adalah (e.g., Ini adalah buku = This is a book), but for location you use nothing or ada. Hence Bukuku (ada) di meja, not “Bukuku adalah di meja.”
How do you pronounce the words?
- bukuku: boo-KOO-koo
- ada: AH-dah
- di: dee
- meja: MEH-jah (j like English “j”) Final -a is an “ah” sound, not schwa.
How can I specify which table (e.g., dining table)?
Modify the noun:
- meja makan (dining table)
- meja kerja (desk) Example: Bukuku ada di meja makan.