Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Rute tanpa putar balik paling hemat waktu. - A route without a U-turn saves the most time.

Nominalize the phrase: yang paling hemat waktu = “the most time-efficient one.”
Use adalah, which typically takes a noun phrase: Rute tanpa putar balik adalah yang paling hemat waktu.
If you write Rute tanpa putar balik yang paling hemat waktu, that becomes a noun phrase (e.g., a heading) and usually needs a main clause to be a full sentence.

What exactly does tanpa putar balik modify?

Tanpa (without) introduces a modifying phrase after the noun, so tanpa putar balik restricts which route we’re talking about: a route that does not require a U‑turn. Variants:

Rute ini tanpa harus putar balik.
Rute ini tanpa berputar balik.

Is putar balik a noun or a verb here? How is it written?

Here it functions as a noun phrase (“a U‑turn”). It’s a fixed two‑word expression (no hyphen).

As a noun: Ada tempat putar balik di depan.
As a verb: Kalau salah jalan, kita putar balik.
On signs: Dilarang putar balik.

Are there synonyms for putar balik?

Yes:

balik arah = “turn around/U‑turn” (very common)
berputar balik (intransitive verb), memutar balik (transitive, “turn something back”)
You’ll also see the English loan U‑turn in informal speech, but putar balik is standard.

What’s the nuance of hemat waktu compared with cepat?

hemat waktu = time‑saving/efficient with time (minimizes wasted time, delays, detours)
cepat = fast (high speed or shortest duration)
Often they overlap. You can say: Rute tanpa putar balik paling cepat or paling hemat waktu, depending on what you want to emphasize.

How do I form comparatives and superlatives with hemat waktu?

Comparative: lebih hemat waktu (more time‑saving)
Less: kurang hemat waktu (less time‑saving)
Superlative: paling hemat waktu / yang paling hemat waktu Examples:
Rute A lebih hemat waktu daripada Rute B.
Rute ini kurang hemat waktu.
Rute ini yang paling hemat waktu.
For the “least,” avoid confusion with paling tidak (which also means “at least” as an adverb). Prefer paling tidak efisien or paling boros waktu (“most time‑wasting”).

Can I use the ter- prefix instead of paling?

Sometimes. With “fast,” both are fine:

Rute ini tercepat.
Rute ini paling cepat.
With hemat waktu, speakers typically prefer paling hemat waktu. Terhemat is common with money/energy (e.g., terhemat biaya), but terhemat waktu is less idiomatic. You can also say paling efisien (more formal/neutral).

Where does paling go in the phrase?

Before the adjective phrase. Correct: paling hemat waktu.
Incorrect in this meaning: hemat waktu paling (unless it’s split as yang paling hemat waktu).

How do I mark the/them this/that route in Indonesian (no articles)?

Use demonstratives or the clitic -nya:

Rute tanpa putar balik itu paling hemat waktu.
Rutenya paling hemat waktu.
Ini rute yang paling hemat waktu.

Is rute singular or plural here?

Indonesian doesn’t mark plural by default; context decides. If you need “routes,” use:

Quantifiers: beberapa rute, banyak rute, berbagai rute
Reduplication (more formal/emphatic): rute‑rute
Example: Ada beberapa rute tanpa putar balik yang hemat waktu.

How do I pronounce the words?

Approximate English-like guide:

rute = ROO‑tuh (final e = schwa)
tanpa = TAHN‑pah
putar = POO‑tar
balik = BAH‑leek
paling = PAH‑ling
hemat = HEH‑maht
waktu = WAHK‑too

Can I make the without-part fronted?

Yes, tanpa phrases can be fronted for emphasis:

Tanpa putar balik, kita sampai lebih cepat.

What are some equally natural rephrasings?

Rute tanpa putar balik paling cepat.
Rute tanpa putar balik adalah yang paling cepat.
Rute ini paling hemat waktu; tidak perlu putar balik.