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Questions & Answers about Kami berfoto di taman.
What does kami mean, and how is it different from kita?
Both mean “we,” but kami excludes the listener and kita includes the listener.
- Kami berfoto di taman = We (not including you) took photos at the park.
- Kita berfoto di taman = We (including you) took photos at the park.
Does berfoto mean “to take photos” or “to be in a photo”?
It generally means “to take/have photos taken,” often implying you are posing and are in the photo. If you want to emphasize the act of photographing (as the photographer), use memotret or mengambil foto. If someone else took your picture, you can say difoto.
Can berfoto take a direct object?
No. Berfoto is intransitive and doesn’t take a direct object.
- Correct: Kami berfoto di taman.
- With companions: Kami berfoto dengan/bersama teman-teman.
- If you want a direct object, use a transitive verb:
- Kami memotret pemandangan di taman.
- Kami mengambil foto pemandangan di taman.
- Avoid: Kami berfoto pemandangan.
How do I say “We were photographed at the park”?
Use the passive: Kami difoto di taman. This focuses on you as the subject being photographed by someone else.
Why is it di taman and not ke taman?
- di = at/in (location): Kami berfoto di taman.
- ke = to/toward (movement): Kami pergi ke taman untuk berfoto.
Do I need “the” or “a” before taman?
Indonesian has no articles. Context gives definiteness. To be explicit:
- Specific: di taman itu (at that park)
- Indefinite: di sebuah taman (at a park)
- Named place: di Taman Menteng
How do I express past, present, or future?
Add time/aspect words:
- Present ongoing: Kami sedang/lagi berfoto di taman.
- Past/completed: Kami sudah berfoto di taman.
- Past time: Kami berfoto di taman tadi/kemarin.
- Future: Kami akan berfoto di taman nanti/besok.
What’s the difference between sedang and lagi?
Both mean “in the middle of (doing).” sedang is neutral/standard; lagi is more casual.
- Kami sedang berfoto di taman.
- Kami lagi berfoto di taman.
Can I drop the subject and just say Berfoto di taman?
Yes, if the subject is clear from context (e.g., a caption, diary entry, reply). On its own, it sounds like a note or headline and is less complete in neutral prose.
Can I start with the place and say Di taman kami berfoto?
Yes. Di taman kami berfoto is acceptable and puts emphasis on the location. The neutral order is Kami berfoto di taman.
How do I turn it into a question?
- Yes/No: Apakah kami berfoto di taman? (formal) or Kami berfoto di taman, ya? (informal confirmation)
- Wh-: Di mana kami berfoto?; Kapan kami berfoto di taman?
How do I negate it?
- Simple negation: Kami tidak berfoto di taman. (We didn’t take photos at the park.)
- Not yet: Kami belum berfoto di taman. (We haven’t taken photos at the park yet.)
How do I say we took many or a few photos?
- Many: Kami banyak berfoto di taman. or Kami mengambil banyak foto di taman.
- A few: Kami mengambil beberapa foto di taman.
- One: Kami mengambil satu foto di taman / Kami berfoto sekali di taman. Note: berfoto banyak is not natural; use the patterns above. You can pluralize the noun: foto-foto.
Is berfoto-foto a thing?
Yes (colloquial). Kami berfoto-foto di taman means “We took lots of photos” or “We kept taking photos,” emphasizing repetition.
Is it okay to say Kami foto di taman?
In casual speech, yes—people often use foto as a verb. Standard/neutral Indonesian prefers berfoto. You’ll also hear Kami lagi foto di taman in conversation.
How do I say “selfie”?
Formal: berswafoto (e.g., Kami berswafoto di taman.)
Very common colloquial: selfie (e.g., Kami selfie di taman.)
Any pitfalls with di?
Yes—distinguish the preposition di (separate word) from the passive prefix di- (attached).
- Preposition: di taman
- Passive prefix: difoto (not “di foto”)
How do I pronounce the sentence?
kah-mee buhr-FOH-toh dee TAH-mahn.
Tips: roll or tap the Indonesian r in berfoto; a is an open “ah”; stress is light and even.
Is pada taman ever correct?
No for physical location. Use di for places. pada is used for time or abstract relations (e.g., pada hari Senin, pada orang itu).
Does taman mean “park” or “garden”?
It usually means a landscaped park/garden for recreation. For a yard/vegetable garden/orchard, use kebun.
- taman kota = city park
- kebun sayur = vegetable garden
How do I say “We took photos with our friends at the park”?
- Kami berfoto dengan teman-teman di taman.
- Kami berfoto bersama teman-teman di taman.
Both are fine; bersama emphasizes “together with.” Colloquial: bareng (e.g., Kami foto bareng di taman.)
How do I say “We did a photoshoot at the park”?
Kami melakukan sesi foto di taman. You might also hear the casual Kami foto prewedding di taman for a pre-wedding shoot.
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