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Kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.

Kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.
We stop by a cafe in the city center.
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Questions & Answers about Kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.

What’s the difference between kami and kita?
  • Kami = we (excluding the listener).
  • Kita = we (including the listener).

Examples:

  • Kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. = We (not you) stopped by a cafe downtown.
  • Kita mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. = We (including you) stopped by a cafe downtown.
How do I show it happened in the past if Indonesian has no tense?

Use time words or aspect markers:

  • Kami tadi mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (earlier today)
  • Kami barusan mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (just now)
  • Kemarin kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (yesterday)
  • Kami sudah mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (already did it; completed action)
Can I say mampir di instead of mampir ke?

Yes. Both are common.

  • Mampir ke emphasizes movement toward a destination: Kami mampir ke kafe...
  • Mampir di emphasizes the location of the brief visit: Kami mampir di kafe... Both are widely used and understood. Don’t say mampir kafe without a preposition.
How is mampir different from berhenti and singgah?
  • Mampir = stop by/pop in for a short visit.
  • Berhenti = stop (cease moving), not “visit.” Example: Kami berhenti sebentar di lampu merah.
  • Singgah = a bit more formal/literary “stop by.” Example: Kami singgah di kafe di pusat kota. A formal transitive variant is menyinggahi (to stop by at [a place]).
Do I need an article for “a/the” cafe?

Indonesian has no articles. Kafe can be “a cafe” or “the cafe” from context.

  • To emphasize “a,” you can add sebuah: Kami mampir ke sebuah kafe...
  • To make it specific, add itu (that/the): Kami mampir ke kafe itu... You can also use tersebut in formal writing.
What exactly does di pusat kota mean?

It means “in the city center/downtown.”

  • Di pusat kota = at/in the city center.
  • Ke pusat kota = to the city center.
    Note: kota = city/town (not “capital,” which is ibu kota).
Why are there two prepositions in a row: ke kafe di pusat kota?

They attach to different nouns:

  • ke kafe = to the cafe (destination).
  • di pusat kota = in the city center (describes where the cafe is). You could make this explicit: ke kafe yang di pusat kota (to the cafe that’s in the city center).
Can I move di pusat kota earlier in the sentence?

Yes, for emphasis or flow:

  • Di pusat kota, kami mampir ke kafe. (fronted adverbial)
  • Kami mampir di kafe di pusat kota. (also fine) Avoid: Kami mampir di pusat kota ke kafe (unnatural order).
How do I say “We will stop by a cafe downtown”?
  • Nanti kami mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (later/soon)
  • Kami akan mampir ke kafe di pusat kota. (will)
  • Colloquial plan/intention: Kami mau mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.
How do I negate the sentence?

Put tidak before the verb:

  • Kami tidak mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.
How do I pronounce the sentence?

“KAH-mee MAHM-peer kuh KAH-feh dee POO-saht KOH-tah”
Notes:

  • Each vowel is clear and short; a like “father.”
  • r is tapped/flapped.
  • Final vowels are pronounced: kota = KOH-tah, not “kot.”
Is mampir formal or informal?
Neutral-to-colloquial and very common in speech. In more formal writing you might prefer singgah or even berkunjung (visit), depending on context.
Can I omit the subject kami?

Yes, if context makes it clear (common in speech or notes):

  • Mampir ke kafe di pusat kota.
    In neutral/formal writing, keep kami for clarity.
How do I say “We stopped by briefly”?

Add an adverb:

  • Kami mampir sebentar ke kafe di pusat kota.
  • Kami mampir sejenak ke kafe di pusat kota. You can also say Kami sempat mampir... to mean “We had a chance to stop by.”
How do I make it clear it’s a specific cafe we both know?

Specify it:

  • Kami mampir ke kafe itu di pusat kota.
  • Kami mampir ke kafe favorit kita di pusat kota.
  • Use the name: Kami mampir ke Kafe Aroma di pusat kota.
Are there more natural choices than kafe in some contexts?

Yes, depending on the venue:

  • Kedai kopi = coffee shop.
  • Warung kopi = simple/locals’ coffee stall/eatery.
  • Restoran = restaurant.
    Kafe often suggests a modern cafe serving coffee, snacks, light meals.
When do I use kepada instead of ke?

Use kepada with recipients (usually people), not places:

  • kepada Andi, kepada pelanggan.
    For places/destinations, use ke. So say mampir ke kafe, not mampir kepada kafe.
How can I talk about more than one cafe?
  • Kami mampir ke beberapa kafe di pusat kota. (several cafes)
  • Kami mampir ke banyak kafe di pusat kota. (many cafes)
  • Reduplication for plurality is possible but not necessary here: kafe-kafe.