Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.

That big project needs a lot of time.

Breakdown of Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.

• itu: that
• waktu: the time
• banyak: many
• besar: big
• proyek: the project
• membutuhkan: to require

Questions & Answers about Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.

In the phrase proyek besar itu, why do the adjective besar and itu come after proyek, unlike in English?

In Indonesian, the normal order inside a noun phrase is:

Noun + Adjective + Demonstrative (ini/itu)

So:

• proyek = project
• besar = big
• itu = that / the

proyek besar itu literally feels like project big that, but it means that big project or the big project.

Putting besar before proyek (besar proyek itu) is not normal Indonesian; it sounds wrong or at least very odd in everyday speech.

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What exactly does itu mean here? Is it that or the?

itu is very flexible. Here it can be understood as:

• that big project (referring to a specific project already known in the conversation), or
• the big project (also specific and known).

Indonesian doesn’t strictly separate that and the the way English does. itu usually:

• points to something specific (like that), and
• often works like a definite article (like the) in context.

So if speakers already know which project you mean, proyek besar itu is natural whether you’d translate it as that big project or the big project in English.

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Could I just say proyek besar without itu? What changes in meaning?

Yes, you can say:

• Proyek besar membutuhkan banyak waktu.

The difference:

• proyek besar itu = that/the big project → a specific, known project.
• proyek besar = (a) big project / big projects in general → more general or non‑specific.

So:

• With itu: You’re clearly talking about one particular big project everyone already knows about.
• Without itu: You may be speaking more generally, for example:
  
  • Proyek besar biasanya membutuhkan banyak waktu.
    (Big projects usually need a lot of time.)

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What’s the difference between membutuhkan, butuh, and perlu?

All are related to need, but they differ in formality and grammar.

1. butuh

   • Base word, informal/neutral.
   • Often used like an adjective or stative verb:
     
     • Saya butuh waktu. = I need time.
   • Very common in speech.

2. membutuhkan

   • Verb with the prefix meN-: meN- + butuh → membutuhkan.
   • More formal; clearly a transitive verb (to need, to require).
   • Always takes an object:
     
     • Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.
       (That big project needs a lot of time.)

3. perlu

   • Means need / necessary.
   • Can be more about necessity/requirement:
     
     • Saya perlu waktu. = I need time.
     • Tidak perlu. = (It’s) not necessary.

In this sentence, membutuhkan fits well because it’s describing what the project requires in a neutral–formal way.

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Does membutuhkan show tense? How would I say needed or will need?

membutuhkan itself does not change for tense. Indonesian verbs usually stay the same. Tense is shown by context or by adding time markers.

To express different times:

• Past / already needed

  • Proyek besar itu sudah membutuhkan banyak waktu.
    = That big project has already needed / has already taken a lot of time.

• Future / will need

  • Proyek besar itu akan membutuhkan banyak waktu.
    = That big project will need a lot of time.

• General / timeless statement

  • Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.
    = That big project needs a lot of time.
    (Time is understood from context: now, generally, overall.)

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Could proyek besar itu mean those big projects, in the plural?

Usually proyek besar itu is understood as that/the big project (singular), because:

• there is no reduplication (proyek-proyek) or number marker, and
• itu typically points to a single thing unless context clearly says otherwise.

To make it clearly plural, you could say:

• Proyek-proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.
  = Those big projects need a lot of time.

So, by default this sentence is interpreted as singular.

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Is banyak waktu the most natural way to say a lot of time? Could I use lama instead?

banyak waktu is natural and clear:

• banyak = a lot / many
• waktu = time

So membutuhkan banyak waktu = needs a lot of time.

You can also use lama (long [in duration]):

• Proyek besar itu memakan waktu lama.
  = That big project takes a long time.

Differences:

• banyak waktu focuses on the amount of time.
• waktu lama / lama focuses on the length/duration.

Both are natural, but the original membutuhkan banyak waktu is very common and straightforward.

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What is the nuance difference between membutuhkan banyak waktu and memakan banyak waktu?

Both can translate as takes a lot of time, but:

• membutuhkan banyak waktu

  • Literally: needs/requires a lot of time.
  • More neutral and slightly formal.
  • Often used in explanations, reports, writing.

• memakan banyak waktu

  • Literally: eats a lot of time.
  • More vivid/figurative, like English to eat up time.
  • Very common in speech and informal writing.

So:

• Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.
  = A neutral statement about the requirement.

• Proyek besar itu memakan banyak waktu.
  = Implies it really uses up a lot of your time, often with a little emotional color.

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Does besar here mean physically big, or important, or something else?

besar has several common meanings:

1. physically big / large
2. major / important / large-scale

In proyek besar itu, it could be:

• physically big (many parts, large in size),
• big in scope (complex, many tasks),
• important / major (high impact, high budget).

Usually proyek besar is understood as large-scale / major project, not just physically large, unless context states otherwise (e.g., construction of a huge building).

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Is this sentence formal, informal, or neutral? Can I use it in everyday conversation?

The sentence:

• Proyek besar itu membutuhkan banyak waktu.

is neutral to slightly formal, mainly because of membutuhkan.

Usage:

• It’s perfectly fine in everyday conversation, especially in work or study contexts.
• It’s also suitable in writing (emails, reports, articles).

For very casual speech, people might say:

• Proyek besar itu butuh banyak waktu.
  (same meaning, just more informal)