Questions & Answers about Kami mendapat satu kue masing-masing.
What does masing-masing do in this sentence?
It marks distribution: each person separately gets the item. With it, the sentence means Each of us got one cake apiece. Without it, Kami mendapat satu kue could mean we got one cake in total (shared/collective).
Where can I put masing-masing?
Several positions are natural:
- Kami masing-masing mendapat satu kue.
- Kami mendapat satu kue masing-masing.
- Masing-masing, kami mendapat satu kue. (more written/emphatic)
- Kami mendapat masing-masing satu kue. (also acceptable)
All mean the same thing. Putting it before or after the verb or at the end is fine.
Do I have to say satu if I already say masing-masing?
Keep the number for clarity. Kami mendapat kue masing-masing is heard, but it can feel incomplete or ambiguous. …satu kue (or a classifier phrase like sebuah/sepotong kue) is the clear, natural choice.
Should I use sebuah or sepotong instead of satu?
Use a classifier when you want to be precise:
- Whole/single item (generic): sebuah kue
- A piece/slice: sepotong kue (or seiris for a thin slice)
- No classifier: satu kue is acceptable in everyday speech, especially for small pastries. So: Kami masing-masing mendapat sepotong kue (we each got a slice).