Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Kami tetap tenang meski ada kendala kecil. - We stay calm even though there is a small obstacle.

kami = “we (not including you, the listener).”
kita = “we (including you).”
If you want to include the person you’re talking to in the group that stayed calm, use kita. Otherwise, kami is correct.

What does tetap mean here, and where does it go in the sentence?

tetap means “to remain/keep/stay (unchanged),” especially in spite of something.
It comes before the word it modifies: before adjectives and verbs.
- Correct: kami tetap tenang, tetap bekerja.
- Incorrect: kami tenang tetap.

Can I use masih instead of tetap?

masih = “still (continuing as before),” neutral about reasons.
tetap = “remain (in spite of a factor),” adds a concessive flavor that matches meski.
With this sentence, tetap is better. Kami masih tenang simply states continuity; Kami tetap tenang meski… highlights contrast.

Is tenang an adjective or a verb? Do I need something like “to be”?

tenang is an adjective (“calm”). Indonesian adjectives can be predicates without a copula, so Kami tenang is complete.
To say “calmly,” use dengan tenang.
To say “to calm (someone),” use menenangkan; “to calm oneself,” menenangkan diri.

What does meski mean, and how is it different from meskipun / walaupun / walau / biarpun / sekalipun?

meski = “although/even though.”
Near-synonyms:
- meskipun, walaupun: very common, neutral.
- walau: shorter, a bit more casual.
- biarpun: colloquial.
- sekalipun: “even if/even though” with stronger “even” emphasis.
Spelling: one-word forms (meskipun, walaupun) are standard; short meski is common. You’ll also see meski pun / walau pun; many editors prefer the one-word forms.

Can I put the meski clause first?

Is a comma needed in the original word order?

No. Kami tetap tenang meski ada kendala kecil. needs no comma.
If you write the main clause first and then add meski…, a comma is optional: Kami tetap tenang, meski ada kendala kecil.

What is ada doing here? Can I drop it?

ada is the existential “there is/are.” meski ada kendala kecil = “although there is a small obstacle.”
You can’t drop ada in this structure. If you don’t want ada, change the clause to use a verb: meski (kami) menghadapi kendala kecil (“although [we] faced a small obstacle”).

Do I need an article like “a” before kendala kecil? Should I say sebuah or satu?

Indonesian has no articles. Bare nouns are often indefinite, so ada kendala kecil already means “there is a small obstacle.”
sebuah kendala kecil = one small obstacle (a bit more formal/writerly).
satu kendala kecil = exactly one small obstacle (emphasizes number).
Note: ada sedikit kendala = “there are a few obstacles,” not “a small obstacle.” sedikit modifies quantity, not size.

What’s the nuance of kendala compared to masalah / hambatan / halangan?

kendala: obstacle/hurdle in carrying out a plan or process (often neutral/formal).
masalah: problem/issue (broad, very common).
hambatan: impediment/barrier (formal/technical).
halangan: hindrance/impediment (often more physical/personal).
In many contexts masalah kecil is the everyday choice; kendala kecil is also natural, a touch more formal/neutral.

Why is kecil after kendala? Can adjectives go before nouns?

In Indonesian, adjectives usually follow nouns: kendala kecil, rumah besar.
Pre-nominal adjectives exist in set phrases (e.g., mantan presiden), but size/quality adjectives like kecil normally come after the noun.
To make it definite: kendala kecil itu (“that/the small obstacle”).

How do I show past or future time with this sentence?

Add time words or modals; verbs don’t change form:
- Future: Kami akan tetap tenang meski ada kendala kecil.
- Past: Kami tetap tenang tadi/kemarin/waktu itu meski ada kendala kecil.

Can I use padahal instead of meski?

padahal = “whereas/and yet,” often signaling a surprising or contrary-to-expectation fact, sometimes with a mildly reproachful tone.
Kami tetap tenang padahal ada kendala kecil is grammatical but feels like a pointed contrast. meski/walaupun are the neutral concessive choices here.

Is tetap ever confused with tetapi?

They’re different:
- tetap = remain/keep (adverb/adjective).
- tetapi = but/however (conjunction).
Compare:
- Kami tetap tenang meski ada kendala kecil. (We remained calm although…)
- Kami tenang, tetapi ada kendala kecil. (We are calm, but there’s a small problem.) Different meaning and structure.

Any pronunciation tips for these words?

meski: [məs-kee]; the “e” is a schwa, like the ‘a’ in “about.”
tenang: [tə-nang]; “ng” is the velar nasal [ŋ] as in “sing.”
kendala: [kən-DA-la]; light stress tends to fall on the second syllable; “e” is schwa.
kami: [KA-mee]; “a” as in “father.”
Indonesian stress is light and fairly even; don’t over-stress syllables.

What are some equally natural alternative phrasings?