Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Kamar tidur itu punya cermin besar di dekat lemari pakaian. - That bedroom has a large mirror near the wardrobe.

Itu is a post-nominal demonstrative meaning “that/the,” marking a specific, known bedroom. In Indonesian, the demonstrative follows the noun phrase: kamar tidur itu = “that/the bedroom.”

Could I use ini instead of itu?

Yes. Ini means “this” (close to the speaker), while itu means “that” (farther away or previously mentioned). So:

kamar tidur ini = this bedroom
kamar tidur itu = that/the bedroom

Can I say itu kamar tidur?

That form is typically an equational sentence: Itu kamar tidur = “That is a bedroom/That’s the bedroom.” To say “that bedroom” as a noun phrase, keep itu after the noun: kamar tidur itu.

Is using punya natural here? How does it compare with ada or memiliki/mempunyai?

punya = “to have/own,” very common in speech even with inanimate subjects: Kamar tidur itu punya cermin …
ada states existence/location and is often the most idiomatic when listing what’s in a place: Di kamar tidur itu ada cermin besar …
memiliki/mempunyai are more formal/literate equivalents of “to have.” All are correct; for describing contents of a room, many speakers prefer the ada pattern.

Why isn’t there an article like “a” or “the” before cermin?

Indonesian has no articles. Definiteness is inferred from context or shown with demonstratives:

cermin besar = “a large mirror” (or just “large mirror” in general)
cermin besar itu = “that/the large mirror”

Should I add a classifier like sebuah before cermin besar?

Optional. Sebuah cermin besar highlights “one (single) large mirror.” Use it if the number matters or you want the feel of “a certain one.” Without it, cermin besar is perfectly natural.

Why is the adjective after the noun in cermin besar?

In Indonesian, adjectives normally follow the noun: cermin besar (“big mirror”), lemari baru (“new wardrobe”). The reverse order is not used for simple adjective–noun phrases.

When would I use yang, as in cermin yang besar?

Yang can:

Emphasize/contrast: cermin yang besar = “the mirror that’s big (as opposed to other ones).”
Introduce a longer modifier: cermin yang sangat besar dan antik. For simple attributes, cermin besar is fine.

What exactly does di dekat mean, and can I drop di?

di dekat = “near/in the vicinity of.”
Colloquially, people often say dekat [noun] without di, or dekat dengan [noun]. All are common; di dekat is a safe, standard choice.

Difference between di dekat, di sebelah, and di samping?

di dekat = near/close by (not necessarily touching)
di sebelah / di samping = right next to/beside (adjacent)

Does lemari pakaian mean “wardrobe” or “closet”?

It can cover both, depending on context. Lemari is a cabinet/cupboard/wardrobe; lemari pakaian is specifically for clothes. Whether it’s free-standing “wardrobe” or built-in “closet” depends on the actual room.

Is lemari baju acceptable?

Yes, very common in everyday speech. Pakaian is more general/formal for “clothing,” while baju is everyday and can also mean “shirt/clothes.”

Can I use kaca for “mirror”?

Normally use cermin for a household mirror. Kaca means “glass,” though it appears in set terms like kaca spion (vehicle side/rear-view mirror).

How do I say “two large mirrors”?

Dua cermin besar. You can add the classifier for clarity or emphasis: dua buah cermin besar.

Where do I put itu if I want to refer to the mirror or the wardrobe?

Attach itu to the noun phrase it makes definite:

cermin besar itu = that/the large mirror
lemari pakaian itu = that/the wardrobe Example: Kamar tidur itu punya cermin besar di dekat lemari pakaian itu = “… near that/the wardrobe.”

Is ruang tidur okay for “bedroom”?

It exists, but kamar tidur is far more common in everyday Indonesian. Ruang often appears in terms like ruang tamu (living room).

How do I mark past or present? Does the sentence mean “has” or “had”?

Indonesian is tenseless; add time words if needed:

Past: Kamar tidur itu dulu/pernah punya cermin besar …
Present: context alone often suffices
Future: nanti/akan punya …

Can I move the di dekat … phrase earlier?

With punya, keep the object together for natural flow: Kamar tidur itu punya [object] [location]. Fronting the location is smoother with ada: Di dekat lemari pakaian, ada cermin besar di kamar tidur itu.