Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Indonesian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Wawancara dimulai pukul delapan.
What does dimulai mean, and why is it used instead of an active verb?
The prefix di- marks the passive, so dimulai means “is begun/gets started.” Indonesian often uses the passive to foreground an event (common in schedules/announcements). Active options: Wawancara mulai… (intransitive) or (Seseorang) memulai wawancara… (transitive).
Can I say Wawancara mulai pukul delapan?
Yes. Wawancara mulai pukul delapan is correct and a bit more neutral/informal. Wawancara dimulai… sounds slightly more formal/announcer-like. Both are common.
Do I need “at”—should it be pada pukul delapan?
pada is optional with times. Wawancara dimulai (pada) pukul delapan are both fine. Don’t use di for time here; di is for locations (e.g., di kantor).
What’s the difference between pukul and jam?
Both can mean “o’clock.” pukul feels more formal/announcement style; jam is everyday. You can say pukul/jam delapan. For durations, use jam (e.g., dua jam = two hours), not pukul.
Does pukul also mean “to hit”?
Yes. As a verb root, pukul is “hit” (e.g., memukul = to hit). In time expressions, pukul is a noun meaning the time the clock strikes. Context keeps them apart.
How do I specify 8 a.m. vs 8 p.m.?
Add a time-of-day word: pukul delapan pagi (8 a.m.), pukul delapan malam (8 p.m.). Or use the 24‑hour clock: pukul 08.00 / pukul 20.00.
How do I say “exactly at eight” or “around eight”?
Use tepat for exact: tepat pukul delapan. Use sekitar or kira-kira for approximate: sekitar/kira-kira pukul delapan.
How do I say 8:15, 8:30, and 8:45?
- 8:15: pukul delapan lewat lima belas (menit)
- 8:30: pukul setengah sembilan (literally “half to nine”) or pukul delapan lewat tiga puluh (menit)
- 8:45: pukul sembilan kurang lima belas (menit)
Why is there no “the” before “interview”?
Indonesian has no articles. wawancara can be definite or indefinite from context. To make it clearly “the interview,” use wawancara itu or wawancaranya.
Could wawancara here be plural?
Yes. Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default. Context tells you. To be explicit, use wawancara-wawancara, a number (tiga wawancara), or serangkaian wawancara (a series of interviews).
Can I move the time to the front?
Yes. Pukul delapan, wawancara dimulai. Fronting the time is natural for emphasis or schedules. Wawancara dimulai pada pukul delapan is a more formal variant.
Is dimulai one word or two (di mulai)?
One word: dimulai. Here di- is a passive verb prefix and attaches to the root. The preposition di (place) is separate, e.g., di kantor.
Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?
- wawancara: c = “ch” (wa-wan-CHA-ra)
- dimulai: ai like “eye” (di-mu-LAI)
- pukul: u like “oo” in “book” (PU-kul)
- delapan: initial e is a schwa (de-LA-pan)
Stress is light and fairly even across syllables.
Are abbreviations or numeric formats common?
Yes. Notices often use pkl./pk. for pukul: pkl. 08.00. Both 08.00 (dot) and 08:00 (colon) are understood.
How do I mention who starts it?
Prefer the active: Pembawa acara memulai wawancara pukul delapan. Passive with an agent is possible but less natural: Wawancara dimulai oleh pembawa acara pukul delapan.
Can mulai be used like “starting from …” without a subject?
Yes, in announcements: Mulai pukul delapan, pintu masuk dibuka. As a header you might see Mulai pukul delapan: Wawancara.