Ayam goreng itu renyah.

to be

Breakdown of Ayam goreng itu renyah.

• itu: that
• ayam: the chicken
• goreng: fried

Questions & Answers about Ayam goreng itu renyah.

Where is the word “is”? Why isn’t there a verb between the subject and the adjective?

Indonesian doesn’t use a verb like “to be” before adjectives. Adjectives can serve directly as predicates. So Ayam goreng itu renyah literally reads “Fried chicken that crunchy,” which in English requires “is.” Don’t add adalah here—adalah is generally for linking to a noun, not an adjective.

• Correct: Ayam goreng itu renyah.
• Incorrect/unnatural: Ayam goreng itu adalah renyah.
• With emphasis: Ayam goreng itu sangat renyah / renyah sekali / renyah banget (informal).

What does itu do here? Is it “that” or “the”?

Itu is a demonstrative meaning “that/those.” Placed after a noun phrase, it usually points to something specific/known, and often feels like “that” or even “the” in English, depending on context:

• Ayam goreng itu = that (specific) fried chicken / the fried chicken (we both know).
• Contrast with ini (“this”): Ayam goreng ini renyah.

Why is itu after the noun? Can I put it before, like English “that fried chicken”?