Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Sopir angkot kami berusaha datang tepat waktu meskipun hujan deras. - Our minibus driver tries to arrive on time even though it is raining heavily.

Angkot is short for angkutan kota (“city transport”). It’s a small public minibus/shared taxi that follows semi-fixed routes. You flag it down and pay a small fare. Terms vary by region; you may also hear mikrolet (Jakarta/Depok), bemo, or oplet in older usage. In general conversation, angkot is widely understood.

Is sopir correct, or should it be supir or pengemudi?

sopir: the standard spelling (per KBBI), common and neutral in everyday speech.
supir: widely seen/heard, but nonstandard spelling.
pengemudi: more formal/literary (“driver/motorist”).
All three are understood; for neutral, go with sopir.

Why kami and not kita?

Indonesian distinguishes:

kami = we/us (excluding the listener)
kita = we/us (including the listener)
So sopir angkot kami means “our angkot driver” where the listener isn’t part of the group owning/using that angkot. If you include the listener, use kita: sopir angkot kita.

Why is the possessive after the noun in sopir angkot kami?

Possessors usually follow the possessed noun:

sopir angkot kami = our angkot driver
Using a clitic is also possible: sopir angkotku (my angkot driver), sopir angkotmu (your), sopir angkotnya (his/her/their).
Be careful: kami sopir angkot means “we are angkot drivers,” not possession.

How do we know the tense? Is this past, present, or future?

Indonesian has no verb conjugation for tense. Add time/aspect markers if needed:

Past/completed: sudah, tadi, kemarin
Example: Sopir angkot kami sudah berusaha…
Progressive: sedang, lagi
Example: …sedang berusaha datang…
Future/intention: akan, mau, berniat
Example: …akan berusaha datang…
Without markers, context decides.

What’s the nuance difference between berusaha and mencoba?

berusaha emphasizes effort/endeavor (“to make an effort”).
mencoba is “to try/attempt,” and can also mean “to try out” (taste/test).
Both fit here, but berusaha highlights the driver’s effort against the obstacle (heavy rain). mencoba is fine but slightly less “effortful” in tone. A close synonym is berupaya (more formal).

Do I need untuk after berusaha? Is berusaha untuk datang better?

Both are acceptable:

berusaha datang (common, concise)
berusaha untuk datang (also common; some style guides prefer dropping untuk, but everyday usage includes it).
With mencoba, many teachers prefer mencoba datang (they often consider mencoba untuk redundant), though you will hear both.

Why datang and not tiba or sampai?

datang = come (general; also used for attending)
Example: datang tepat waktu
tiba = arrive (more formal; collocates with di)
Example: tiba di kantor tepat waktu
sampai = arrive/reach (colloquial-neutral; often with di)
Example: sampai di sekolah tepat waktu
All can convey punctual arrival; the sentence chooses the neutral, general datang.

Is tepat waktu the standard way to say “on time”? Can I say tepat pada waktunya or pas waktu?

The set phrase is tepat waktu (“on time”)—most common and natural.
tepat pada waktunya is more formal/literary.
pas waktu is colloquial; acceptable in casual speech.
Avoid tepat waktunya if you mean “on time”; with -nya it tends to mean “the timing is right/appropriate,” which is a bit different.

Is meskipun interchangeable with walaupun, meski, biarpun, or kendati?

Yes, they all mean “although/though,” with slight register differences:

meskipun, walaupun: neutral-standard
meski, walau: shorter, slightly more casual
biarpun: casual
kendati: formal/literary
A common pattern is: Meskipun X, (subjek) tetap Y. The tetap (“still/nevertheless”) is optional, but often used to emphasize contrast.

Where does the meskipun clause go, and do I need a comma?

Both orders are fine:

Subordinate first (comma required):
Meskipun hujan deras, sopir angkot kami berusaha datang tepat waktu.
Subordinate after the main clause (comma usually omitted):
Sopir angkot kami berusaha datang tepat waktu meskipun hujan deras.

Is hujan deras the same as hujan lebat?

Yes. Both mean “heavy rain.” hujan lebat might be slightly more common in writing, but hujan deras is very common in speech and media. deras is also used for fast/strong flow, e.g., arus deras (“strong current”).

Can I insert yang: Sopir angkot kami yang berusaha datang tepat waktu…?

Be careful. Adding yang turns what follows into a relative clause modifying the noun, so you’d need a main clause afterward:

Correct with yang:
Sopir angkot kami yang berusaha datang tepat waktu meskipun hujan deras tetap terlambat.
Without yang, your original sentence is already a complete main clause: Sopir angkot kami berusaha…

Does meskipun require a full clause? Is meskipun hujan deras okay?

It can be followed by a full clause or just a phrase. Meskipun hujan deras is fine and very natural (it’s like “despite heavy rain”). A fuller version is meskipun (sedang) hujan deras; both are grammatical.

How would I make “drivers” plural?

Several options:

para sopir angkot kami (preferred for groups of people; formal-neutral)
sopir-sopir angkot kami (reduplication; common)
With a quantifier: beberapa sopir angkot kami (“several of our drivers”).
Example: Para sopir angkot kami berusaha datang tepat waktu meskipun hujan deras.

Is there any politeness nuance in referring to the driver?

In direct address, add an honorific:

Pak sopir (to a man), Bu sopir (to a woman)
In formal writing or announcements, pengemudi may sound more respectful: pengemudi angkot. In casual speech, sopir is perfectly normal.