Questions & Answers about Kami berlibur setiap tahun.
Does "kami" include the person I’m talking to? Can I use "kita" instead?
- kami = we/us (excluding the listener). The listener is NOT part of the group.
- Example: Kami berlibur setiap tahun. = We (not including you) go on vacation every year.
- kita = we/us (including the listener). The listener IS part of the group.
- Example: Kita berlibur setiap tahun. = We (you and I) go on vacation every year. Use the one that matches who is included.
Does this mean we’re on vacation right now?
No. Indonesian doesn’t mark tense on the verb. With setiap tahun (“every year”), the sentence expresses a habitual action. To specify time:
- Now: Kami sedang berlibur (sekarang). = We are on vacation (now).
- Past/already this year: Kami sudah berlibur tahun ini.
- Future: Kami akan berlibur tahun depan.
Where can “setiap tahun” go in the sentence?
All are acceptable:
- Kami berlibur setiap tahun. (neutral)
- Setiap tahun, kami berlibur. (fronted for emphasis on frequency; comma optional but common)
- Kami setiap tahun berlibur. (also used; slightly less common in careful writing) Avoid inserting a preposition before it (see below).
Is “setiap” the same as “tiap”? What about “setiap tahunnya”?