Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya suka musik klasik.

Saya suka musik klasik.

I like classical music.

Breakdown of Saya suka musik klasik.

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Questions & Answers about Saya suka musik klasik.

What does each word in Saya suka musik klasik mean literally?

Saya = I / me
suka = like, to like
musik = music
klasik = classical

So word-for-word it is I like music classical, which in natural English is I like classical music.

Why is it musik klasik and not klasik musik, like English classical music?

In Indonesian, adjectives usually come after the noun, not before it like in English.

musik (noun) + klasik (adjective) → musik klasik (classical music)

Other examples:

mobil merah = red car (literally car red)
baju baru = new clothes (literally clothes new)

So klasik musik would sound wrong; it must be musik klasik.

Does saya always mean I, and are there other ways to say I in Indonesian?

Saya is a common, neutral, and polite way to say I. But there are several options:

saya – neutral, polite, safe in almost all situations
aku – more casual/intimate, used with friends, family, or people your age
gua / gue (Jakarta slang) – informal, urban, used among close friends
kami – we (excluding the person you talk to)
kita – we (including the person you talk to)

In your sentence:

Saya suka musik klasik. – polite/neutral
Aku suka musik klasik. – casual

Can I drop saya and just say Suka musik klasik?

Yes, you can. Subjects are often dropped in Indonesian when the meaning is clear from context.

Saya suka musik klasik.
Suka musik klasik. (still means I like classical music, if context makes it obvious you’re talking about yourself)

However, in a very first sentence or in writing where you want to be clear, keeping saya is safer.

Does suka mean like or love? How strong is it?

Suka usually corresponds to English like. It shows that you enjoy or have a positive feeling about something.

For love there are other verbs:

cinta – romantic love or very deep affection (e.g. Saya cinta kamu = I love you)
sayang – love/affection, can be romantic or familial (e.g. Saya sayang ibu saya = I love my mother)
gemar – to be fond of / to be into (a bit more formal than suka)

So:

Saya suka musik klasik. – I like classical music.
Saya sangat suka / suka sekali musik klasik. – I really like classical music.
Saya cinta musik klasik. – I love classical music (sounds more intense or dramatic).

Is the word order subject + verb + object always like in English?

The basic neutral order in Indonesian is indeed Subject – Verb – Object:

Saya suka musik klasik.
- Saya (subject)
- suka (verb)
- musik klasik (object)

This is the normal, unmarked order. You can sometimes move parts around for emphasis, but the simple S–V–O order is what you should use as a learner.

Why is there no word for the or a in Saya suka musik klasik?

Indonesian has no articles like the, a, or an. Context tells you whether you mean something general or specific.

Saya suka musik klasik.
Depending on context, this can mean:
- I like classical music (in general)
- I like the classical music (that we’re talking about)

If you need to be very specific, you can add extra words, but for general statements like this, you just omit the/a entirely.

How do I say I don’t like classical music?

To make it negative, put tidak before the verb suka:

Saya tidak suka musik klasik. = I don’t like classical music.

Structure:

Saya (I)
tidak (not)
suka (like)
musik klasik (classical music)

Is musik just a borrowed word from English music? Are there other spellings?

Yes, musik is a loanword ultimately from Western languages (via Dutch/English). In modern standard Indonesian, the correct spelling is musik.

You might see music in English contexts (band names, marketing, etc.), but in proper Indonesian writing, use musik.

What is the difference between suka and menyukai?

Both relate to liking something, but they differ in formality and nuance:

suka – basic, very common, everyday word for like
- Saya suka musik klasik.
menyukai – more formal or literary, literally to like something (transitive verb with me- prefix)
- Saya menyukai musik klasik.

Menyukai is often used in more formal writing, news, or descriptions (CVs, articles). In daily conversation, suka is much more natural.

Is Saya suka musik klasik polite enough to use with strangers or older people?

Yes. Saya is polite and neutral, and suka is completely fine. The whole sentence is appropriate for:

talking to strangers
talking to older people
formal or semi-formal situations

If you want to sound a bit more formal, you could say:

Saya menyukai musik klasik. (more formal, but not necessary)

In most situations, Saya suka musik klasik is perfectly good.

How would I say I really like classical music?

You can intensify suka with sekali or sangat:

Saya suka sekali musik klasik.
Saya sangat suka musik klasik.

Both mean I really like classical music / I like classical music very much.
Sekali usually comes after suka, while sangat comes before suka.

How do you pronounce Saya suka musik klasik?

Approximate pronunciation (stressed evenly; Indonesian is fairly flat):

Saya → SAH-yah
suka → SOO-kah
musik → MOO-sik
klasik → KLAH-sik

Put together: SAH-yah SOO-kah MOO-sik KLAH-sik.
Each vowel is pronounced clearly, and consonants are not swallowed or heavily reduced like in English.

Does musik klasik mean one specific piece of classical music, or classical music in general?

By default, musik klasik refers to classical music in general.

Because Indonesian doesn’t use articles, the phrase is naturally generic unless the context makes it clearly specific. If you needed to refer to specific pieces, you would usually add extra detail:

musik klasik ini = this classical music
musik klasik itu = that classical music
musik klasik yang tadi = the classical music from earlier

But your sentence as given is best understood as a general preference.