Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Dia pun menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video. - He/She also irons shirts while watching a video.

Pun is an emphatic/additive particle roughly meaning even/also/then, often used in narratives to signal a next step or an addition to what was previously mentioned. It highlights the word right before it.

Without it (neutral statement): Dia menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.
With it (adds nuance like “then/also”): Dia pun menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.

You can omit pun and the sentence is still correct; you just lose that subtle narrative or additive emphasis. Pun is written separately from the preceding word (e.g., dia pun), except in a few fixed forms like meskipun, walaupun, sekalipun, adapun.

How does sambil work? Is it the same as while?

Sambil means while and marks two actions done simultaneously by the same subject.

Example: Dia menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video. (He/She is doing both.)

If the actions have different subjects, use sementara or ketika:

Sementara dia menyetrika, adiknya menonton video. (Two different subjects doing different things at the same time.)

Where is the tense? How do I say is ironing, was ironing, or will iron?

Indonesian doesn’t require tense marking. Time/aspect is shown by context or adverbs:

Present/progressive: Dia sedang menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.
Past (earlier): Tadi dia menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.
Completed: Dia sudah/telah menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.
Future: Dia akan menyetrika kemeja sambil menonton video.

Is menyetrika the correct form? Why not mensetrika?

Yes, menyetrika is the standard form. It comes from the prefix meN- + setrika. With roots starting with s, meN- becomes meny- and the s of the root drops: setrika → (drop s) etrika → meny- + etrika → menyetrika. Forms like mensetrika are nonstandard.

Colloquially, you’ll also hear nyetrika (a reduced spoken form).

Can I just say Dia setrika kemeja?

Yes, in informal speech it’s common to use the bare root as a verb: Dia setrika kemeja. The fully prefixed Dia menyetrika kemeja is more standard/formal.

What’s the difference between kemeja and baju?

Kemeja = a button-up collared shirt (dress shirt).
Baju = clothing in general; in casual contexts, often “a top/shirt” (not necessarily buttoned or collared).

So menyetrika kemeja specifically suggests ironing a collared shirt; menyetrika baju is broader (ironing clothes/a shirt).

Do I need a word for a before kemeja? When would I use sebuah or sehelai?

No article is needed; Indonesian has no mandatory a/an. Kemeja can mean a shirt or shirts depending on context.

To emphasize one item: satu kemeja or the classifier sehelai kemeja (helai suits cloth-like items). Sebuah kemeja is possible but less typical for clothing than sehelai.
To make it definite/the/possessive: kemejanya (the shirt / his/her shirt, depending on context).

Is video singular or plural here? How do I say videos?

By default it’s unspecified. Menonton video could be one or several. To be clear:

Several: beberapa video, banyak video, or video-video (reduplication).
One specific video: sebuah video, or make it definite with videonya (the video).

Is menonton the best verb here? What about melihat or nonton?

Menonton = to watch (movies, shows, videos) — best choice here.
Melihat = to see/look at (briefly or not as an organized viewing).
Nonton = colloquial form of menonton.

So the neutral/standard is menonton video; casual speech often uses nonton video.

Can I move the sambil clause to the front?

Yes. It’s natural to front the while-clause; add a comma:

Sambil menonton video, dia (pun) menyetrika kemeja.

Is Dia gendered? Could I use ia or beliau instead?

Dia is gender-neutral (he/she). Alternatives:

Ia: more formal/literary, typically used as a subject in writing. Ia pun menyetrika kemeja… is fine.
Beliau: respectful “he/she” for elders or respected figures.

Where exactly should I put pun? Is Dia menyetrika kemeja pun… okay?

Pun attaches to the word immediately before it to emphasize that element:

Emphasize the subject: Dia pun menyetrika… (He/She too/then…)
Emphasize the object: Kemeja itu pun disetrika. (Even that shirt was ironed.)
Emphasize the action: Menyetrika pun dia lakukan. (He/She even irons.)

Saying Dia menyetrika kemeja pun sambil… is odd because pun would then emphasize kemeja in mid-clause; if that’s your goal, it’s clearer to front it: Kemeja itu pun dia setrika sambil…

How does pun compare with juga (also)?

Both can mean also/too, but:

Juga is the default additive: Dia juga menyetrika kemeja.
Pun is more stylistic/literary and can add a sense of “then/so/indeed” in narratives. Don’t stack them (e.g., Dia pun juga…)—pick one that fits the tone.

How would I say this in the passive?

Standard passive: Kemeja itu disetrika sambil dia menonton video.
With the agent explicitly: Kemeja itu disetrika olehnya sambil menonton video. Note: In everyday style, many speakers prefer the “short passive”/fronted object with an active verb: Kemeja itu dia setrika sambil menonton video.

What’s a natural very casual version of the sentence?

Dia lagi nyetrika kemeja sambil nonton video. Notes: lagi marks a progressive action; nyetrika and nonton are colloquial reductions; pun is rare in casual speech.