Saya memeriksa isi dompet saya.

I check the contents of my wallet.

Breakdown of Saya memeriksa isi dompet saya.

• saya: I
• dompet: the wallet
• saya: my
• memeriksa: to check
• isi: the content

Questions & Answers about Saya memeriksa isi dompet saya.

What does each word mean here?

• saya = I, me, my (formal/neutral first-person pronoun)
• memeriksa = to check/inspect/examine (transitive verb; root: periksa)
• isi = contents/content
• dompet = wallet (can also be a small purse)
• saya (at the end) = my (possessor after the noun) Literal order: I check contents wallet my → “I check(ed) the contents of my wallet.”

Why is saya repeated? Isn’t that redundant?

No. The first saya is the subject (“I”), while the second marks possession (“my wallet”). Without the last saya, Saya memeriksa isi dompet means “I check the contents of the wallet,” which could be anyone’s wallet from context.

Can I say dompetku instead of dompet saya?

Yes:

• dompet saya = my wallet (neutral/formal)
• dompetku = my wallet (informal/intimate; the suffix -ku attaches to the noun) Try to match pronouns in one register:
• Formal/neutral: Saya memeriksa isi dompet saya.
• Informal: Aku memeriksa isi dompetku.

How would people say this informally in everyday speech?

Common colloquial options:

• Aku cek isi dompetku.
• Jakarta slang: Gue ngecek isi dompet gue.
• Even shorter: Gue cek isi dompet. (possessor omitted if obvious from context)

How do I show past, present, or future? Indonesian has no tense marking, right?

Correct—time is shown by context or time words:

• Past: Tadi saya memeriksa… / Saya sudah memeriksa… (I checked / I’ve already checked)
• Ongoing: Saya sedang memeriksa… (I am checking)
• Future: Saya akan memeriksa… / Nanti saya memeriksa… (I will check / I’ll check later)

Is memeriksa the best verb? What about cek/mengecek or melihat?

• memeriksa: to inspect/check carefully; neutral to formal, also used in official contexts (doctors, police, teachers).
• mengecek/cek: to check; everyday, casual; colloquial form ngecek is very common.
• melihat: to look (at); weaker than “check,” more like “take a look.” All are possible; pick by tone:
• Formal: memeriksa
• Casual: (men)gecek/ngecek
• Light glance: melihat

Why isn’t it isi dari dompet saya? Don’t we need “of/from”?

The most natural noun-noun construction is isi dompet (“wallet contents”). isi dari dompet is grammatically okay but usually used in explanations or lists, e.g., Isi dari dompet itu adalah… (“The contents of that wallet are …”). In simple sentences, drop dari.

Do I need to make isi plural, like isi-isi?

No. isi already refers collectively to “contents.” Reduplication (isi-isi) is not used here. If you want to emphasize variety, use words like bermacam-macam isi or list the items.

What’s the difference between Saya memeriksa dompet saya and the version with isi?

• Saya memeriksa dompet saya can mean you checked the wallet itself (e.g., whether you had it with you, or its condition).
• Saya memeriksa isi dompet saya explicitly says you checked what was inside (money, cards, etc.).

How does possession work? Why dompet saya and not saya dompet?

In Indonesian, the possessor follows the noun:

• dompet saya = my wallet
• dompet kamu/Anda = your wallet (informal/formal) With names: dompet Rina = Rina’s wallet. The structure is Noun + Possessor.

Can I drop the subject saya?

Yes, if context already makes the subject clear—common in conversation:

• (Saya) sudah memeriksa isi dompet saya.
• Super casual: Sudah cek isi dompet. (both subject and possessor can be inferable from context)

How do I say this in the passive voice?

• Isi dompet saya diperiksa (oleh …). = “The contents of my wallet were checked (by …).” Use passive to foreground the object or when the agent is unknown/less important: Isi dompet saya diperiksa petugas.

Is dompet always “wallet”? What about a purse?

dompet is a wallet or small clutch/purse for money/cards. A handbag/purse (larger bag) is tas tangan or just tas (bag). Context clarifies which.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

• saya: SA-ya
• memeriksa: me-me-RIK-sa (often reduced to “meriksa” in speech)
• isi: EE-see
• dompet: DOM-pet Indonesian is syllable-timed; pronounce all syllables clearly.