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Di perempatan, sopir belok kanan.

Di perempatan, sopir belok kanan.
At the intersection, the driver turns right.
FromLesson 38inHardcore Indonesian
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Breakdown of Di perempatan, sopir belok kanan.

di
at
sopir
the driver
belok
to turn
perempatan
the intersection
kanan
right

Questions & Answers about Di perempatan, sopir belok kanan.

Does di mean “at” here? How is it different from the passive prefix di-?
Yes—here di means “at.” As a preposition, di is written separately from the noun (e.g., di perempatan). The passive prefix di- attaches to verbs (e.g., dibelokkan) and is written together with them. So di perempatan ≠ diperempatan.
What exactly does perempatan mean? How is it different from persimpangan or pertigaan?
Perempatan is a four-way intersection (from empat = four). Persimpangan is any intersection (general). Pertigaan is a T-junction/three-way intersection. You may also hear simpang empat as a synonym of perempatan.
Can I put the place phrase at the end: Sopir belok kanan di perempatan? Any difference?
Yes. Both orders are correct. Fronting Di perempatan sets the scene or emphasizes location; the meaning is the same.
Is sopir “the driver” or “a driver”? How do I make it clear?

Indonesian has no articles, so sopir can mean either, depending on context. To be explicit:

  • Indefinite: seorang sopir
  • Definite: sopir itu or sopirnya (“the/that driver,” context-dependent)
Which spelling is correct: sopir or supir?
Standard Indonesian prefers sopir. Supir is very common colloquially but is often treated as nonstandard in edited writing. A more formal synonym is pengemudi.
Why is it belok kanan without ke? Is belok ke kanan also correct? What about membelok or membelokkan?

All are acceptable:

  • belok kanan = turn right (very common, neutral).
  • belok ke kanan = slightly more explicit/formal.
  • membelok ke kanan = also fine, more bookish.
  • membelokkan (sesuatu) ke kanan = transitive, “to turn (something) to the right,” e.g., Sopir membelokkan mobil ke kanan.
Is there any tense marking? How do I say it clearly in past or future?

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense by default. Add time/aspect words:

  • Past: tadi, barusan, sudah (e.g., Tadi sopir belok kanan)
  • Future: akan, nanti (e.g., Nanti sopir akan belok kanan)
Is the comma after Di perempatan necessary?
Optional. After a short fronted phrase it can be omitted; keeping it is fine and common in formal style.
How do you pronounce the words here?

Approximate guide:

  • di: dee
  • perempatan: pə-rem-PA-tan (schwa for e; stress near the second-to-last syllable)
  • sopir: SO-peer (tap/trill the r)
  • belok: bə-LOK (schwa e)
  • kanan: KA-nan (a as in “father”)
Can I say pada perempatan?
Not for physical location. Use di for place. pada is used with recipients, topics, or certain time/abstract contexts in formal writing.
Can I drop the subject to give directions?
Yes. As an instruction you can say: Di perempatan, belok kanan. That’s a natural imperative.
What’s the nuance difference between kanan and sebelah kanan?
kanan = the direction “right.” sebelah kanan = “the right side,” typically with a reference: di sebelah kanan gedung itu = on the right side of that building.
How do I say “left”? How would the sentence change?
“Left” is kiri. The sentence becomes Di perempatan, sopir belok kiri.
Are there regional or alternative words for perempatan?
Yes. simpang or simpang empat is common in Sumatra/Malaysia. persimpangan is a neutral alternative nationwide.

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