Saya membaca artikel tentang hewan purba di perpustakaan.

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Breakdown of Saya membaca artikel tentang hewan purba di perpustakaan.

• di: at
• membaca: to read
• tentang: about

Questions & Answers about Saya membaca artikel tentang hewan purba di perpustakaan.

Can membaca mean read, am reading, and read (past)? How do I know the tense?

Yes. Indonesian verbs usually do not change form for tense. Membaca just means to read / reading in a neutral way.

The tense is understood from context or from extra words:

• Saya membaca artikel…
  → could be I read / I am reading / I read (past)
• Tadi saya membaca artikel…
  → I read an article earlier. (past, earlier today)
• Sekarang saya sedang membaca artikel…
  → I am reading an article now. (present, in progress)
• Besok saya akan membaca artikel…
  → I will read an article tomorrow. (future)

So in your sentence, the time is vague until context clarifies it.

What is the difference between baca and membaca?

Baca is the root verb to read.
Membaca is the standard active verb form made from me- + baca.

Very roughly:

• membaca = to read / reading in neutral or formal style
  
  • Saya membaca artikel. – I read an article.
• baca (without me-) is:
  • the dictionary form, and
  • the common spoken/colloquial form:
    
    • Saya baca artikel. – I read an article. (informal but very common)
  • also used in imperatives:
    
    • Baca ini! – Read this!

So grammatically both are fine, but membaca feels more complete and formal, while plain baca is shorter and more casual.