Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai.

Itu is a demonstrative meaning “that” and often functions like a definite marker (“the”) for something already known or previously mentioned. In Indonesian, the demonstrative usually comes after the noun: aplikasi itu = “that/the app.” Contrast:

aplikasi ini = this app
aplikasi tersebut = the aforementioned app (more formal)
aplikasinya can also mark definiteness (“the app”) or mean “its app,” depending on context.

Where is the word “is”? Why isn’t there a verb like “to be”?

Indonesian doesn’t need a copula (“to be”) in simple equational sentences. Adjectives can directly function as predicates. So Aplikasi itu mudah… literally “That app easy…,” which is normal and complete in Indonesian.

What exactly is dipakai?

The root is pakai (“use/wear”). The prefix di- makes a passive form: dipakai = “to be used/worn.” In this sentence it’s part of the pattern mudah + passive verb meaning “easy to [be] used” ≈ “easy to use.”

Why is a passive form used here instead of an active one?

Indonesian often uses the passive when the doer is generic/irrelevant. “Easy to use” naturally highlights the object (the app), not the user. Active alternatives exist:

Memakai/Menggunakan aplikasi itu mudah. (Using that app is easy.)
Aplikasi itu mudah saya pakai. (Type-2 passive with an explicit agent “I.”)

How do I add who it’s easy for? Can I use oleh?

Yes. You can add an agent with oleh:

Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai oleh pemula. (…by beginners.) With pronouns, many speakers prefer the “bare” passive (no di- on the verb, agent before the verb):
Aplikasi itu mudah saya pakai. Using oleh saya is grammatical but can sound heavy/formal.

Does dipakai also mean “worn”? Is that confusing?

Yes, pakai can mean “use” or “wear.” Context disambiguates:

App: Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai. (used)
Clothing: Baju ini enak dipakai. (comfortable to wear) If you want to avoid any hint of “wear,” use digunakan (“used”).

Can I say mudah digunakan instead of mudah dipakai?

Yes. Mudah digunakan is slightly more formal/technical and very common in tech writing. Mudah dipakai is everyday and natural in speech. Both mean “easy to use.”

Should I add untuk: mudah untuk dipakai?

It’s acceptable, but often unnecessary after mudah/sulit + verb. Mudah dipakai is leaner and preferred in concise style. Mudah untuk… can sound fine if the complement is long/complex, but avoid overusing untuk.

Why is mudah before dipakai? Could I reverse it?

Mudah (an adjective) heads the predicate and dipakai is its verb complement: “easy to be used.” You can’t say dipakai mudah in this structure. Another way to express the idea is adverbial: Aplikasi itu dapat dipakai dengan mudah (“can be used easily”), which shifts the nuance.

How do I say “an app that is easy to use”?

Use a relative clause with yang:

aplikasi yang mudah dipakai Without yang, Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai is a full sentence, not a noun phrase.

Is the word order flexible? Can I say Mudah dipakai aplikasi itu?

Yes, predicate-first is possible for emphasis/topic-comment:

Neutral: Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai.
Emphatic: Mudah dipakai aplikasi itu. Both are grammatical; the first is more neutral.

What’s the difference between mudah and gampang?

They both mean “easy.” Mudah is neutral/formal; gampang is informal/colloquial. So you can say:

Aplikasi itu mudah dipakai. (neutral)
Aplikasi itu gampang dipakai. (casual)

How do plural and definiteness work here?

Indonesian has no articles or obligatory plural marking. Aplikasi itu can mean “that app” or, in context, “those apps.” To be explicit: aplikasi-aplikasi itu (reduplication) = those apps. Without itu/-nya/ini, aplikasi is generic/non-specific.

How do I talk about time (was/has been/will be easy)?

Add particles/adverbs:

Past/already: Aplikasi itu sudah mudah dipakai.
Still: Aplikasi itu masih mudah dipakai.
Future: Aplikasi itu akan mudah dipakai. Indonesian doesn’t change the verb for tense.

Do adjectives usually go after nouns in Indonesian?

Attributive adjectives typically follow the noun: aplikasi bagus (a good app). In our sentence, mudah dipakai is the predicate, not an attributive modifier. To make it attributive, use yang: aplikasi yang mudah dipakai.

Could I use ter- here, like terpakai?

No. Terpakai means “used (up)/in use,” not “easy to use.” Mudah dipakai/digunakan is the right pattern for “easy to use.”