Ternyata ruang rapat di sana lebih kecil; sebelumnya saya mengira akan besar.

to be

Breakdown of Ternyata ruang rapat di sana lebih kecil; sebelumnya saya mengira akan besar.

• saya: I
• di: in
• kecil: small

Questions & Answers about Ternyata ruang rapat di sana lebih kecil; sebelumnya saya mengira akan besar.

What does ternyata really mean here? Is it just “actually”?

Ternyata means “it turns out” or “as it turns out,” signaling a discovery or outcome that contrasts with what was expected. It often carries a mild sense of surprise.

• Compare: sebenarnya = “actually/in fact” (stating the true situation, not necessarily a discovery).
• Near-synonym: rupanya = “apparently/it seems,” usually a bit softer or based on inference.

Example contrast:

• Ternyata ruangnya kecil. = You found out (perhaps by seeing it) that it’s small.
• Sebenarnya ruangnya kecil. = The truth is, the room is small (correcting or clarifying).

Can I move ternyata to the middle: Ruang rapat di sana ternyata lebih kecil?

Yes. Both are natural:

• Ternyata ruang rapat di sana lebih kecil.
• Ruang rapat di sana ternyata lebih kecil. Initial position puts a bit more emphasis on the “turns out” discovery; mid-position is very common and slightly smoother in neutral prose.

Why is there a semicolon? Could I use a period or a comma?

A semicolon links two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction—perfect here. You can also use:

• A period: …lebih kecil. Sebelumnya saya mengira akan besar.
• A comma plus a conjunction: …lebih kecil, padahal/sementara sebelumnya saya mengira akan besar. Avoid a plain comma between two independent clauses (comma splice) in careful writing.