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Questions & Answers about Apa tujuan rapat ini?
What does each word mean here?
- Apa = what (question word)
- tujuan = purpose, aim; also “destination” in travel contexts
- rapat = meeting (formal/organizational)
- ini = this (demonstrative that follows the noun)
Etymology note: tujuan comes from the root tuju (to aim/head toward) + the nominalizing suffix -an.
Why is there no “is” (copula) like in English? Should I add adalah?
Indonesian doesn’t need a copula in this kind of question. You simply front the question word: Apa tujuan rapat ini? Adding adalah here is not idiomatic in a question. Use adalah in a statement, e.g., Tujuan rapat ini adalah membahas anggaran.
Can I put ini before the noun, like ini rapat?
Not inside this noun phrase. Demonstratives follow the noun: rapat ini = this meeting. Ini rapat is a separate clause meaning “This is a meeting.” So don’t say Apa tujuan ini rapat?—that’s ungrammatical.
Is Apa tujuan dari rapat ini? correct? When do we use dari?
Yes, it’s common and means the same thing. dari (“of/from”) is optional here; without it (Apa tujuan rapat ini?) is leaner. Using dari can sound a bit more formal or explicit in writing.
What’s the difference between rapat ini, rapat itu, and rapatnya?
- rapat ini = this meeting (near/now, or currently in focus)
- rapat itu = that meeting (previously mentioned or farther/other)
- rapatnya = the meeting/that meeting/his-her-their meeting (context decides); often used like English “the.” Example: Apa tujuan rapatnya?
Could I ask the same thing with untuk apa or buat apa?
Yes:
- Untuk apa rapat ini? neutral: “For what purpose is this meeting?”
- Buat apa rapat ini? casual/colloquial. Depending on tone, it can sound skeptical (“What’s the point of this meeting?”). The original with tujuan is neutral/formal.
Is Apakah tujuan rapat ini? natural?
Acceptable (and common) in formal writing—think headings or survey prompts. In everyday speech it sounds stiff. Don’t double up with another question word (avoid Apakah apa tujuan…). A very formal variant: Apa yang menjadi tujuan rapat ini?
How would a native answer this question naturally?
Possible answers:
- Short: Untuk membahas anggaran.
- Full: Tujuan rapat ini adalah membahas anggaran.
- List: Membahas anggaran dan menyusun jadwal.
Can I change the order to Tujuan rapat ini apa??
Yes. That’s common in speech (topic–comment order). It’s equivalent in meaning and perfectly natural orally.
What’s the nuance difference between tujuan, maksud, sasaran, and target?
- tujuan = purpose/end goal (most neutral here)
- maksud = intention/what someone means or intends
- sasaran = target/aimed-at object or audience
- target = loanword; often numeric or performance goal You could ask Apa maksud rapat ini?, which leans toward the organizers’ intention rather than the formal purpose.
Does tujuan also mean “destination”?
Yes in travel contexts: tujuan penerbangan = flight destination; Tujuan saya ke Bandung. In the sentence at hand, it clearly means “purpose” because it modifies rapat (a meeting), not a journey.
Is rapat only a noun? I’ve seen it mean “tight.”
- As a noun: rapat = meeting (our case).
- As an adjective: rapat = tight/close-fitting (e.g., tutup rapat = shut tight).
- As a verb (informal): you might hear Kita rapat besok (“We’re meeting tomorrow”); in formal style use mengadakan rapat (“to hold a meeting”).
Any common mistakes to avoid with this structure?
- Don’t say Apa adalah tujuan rapat ini? (wrong).
- Don’t move ini before the noun inside the NP: avoid Apa tujuan ini rapat?
- Don’t double question markers: avoid Apakah apa tujuan…
- Don’t use mengapa (why) when you want apa (what).
- Avoid daripada here; it’s for comparisons, not possession. Use dari if you include a preposition.
How polite is this question? Any softer versions?
Neutral as-is. Softer options:
- Maaf, boleh tahu apa tujuan rapat ini?
- Bisa dijelaskan apa tujuan rapat ini? Casual/direct (can sound skeptical): Buat apa rapat ini?
Can I drop ini?
Yes, if context already identifies the meeting: Apa tujuan rapat? That’s more general/less specific. Use rapat ini when you mean the particular, present meeting.
What about using the English loanword meeting?
Common in office chatter: Apa tujuan meeting ini? It’s informal. For formal or written Indonesian, prefer rapat.
How do I say “this meeting of ours,” and where does ini go?
Order is Noun + Possessor + Demonstrative:
- rapat kita ini = this meeting of ours Example: Apa tujuan rapat kita ini? Don’t say ini rapat kita unless you mean “This is our meeting” (a full clause).