Fotokopi kartu identitas saya ada di map hijau.

Questions & Answers about Fotokopi kartu identitas saya ada di map hijau.

Why is it fotokopi kartu identitas saya and not something with a word for of?

In Indonesian, noun relationships like photocopy of my identity card are often made just by putting nouns next to each other.

So:

  • fotokopi = photocopy
  • kartu identitas = identity card
  • saya = my / I / me, depending on position

Together, fotokopi kartu identitas saya means a photocopy of my identity card.

This is very common in Indonesian. English often needs of, but Indonesian usually does not.

Why does saya mean my here, not I?

Saya can mean different things depending on where it appears in the sentence.

  • As a subject: Saya datang = I come / I’m coming
  • After a noun: kartu identitas saya = my identity card

So when saya comes after a noun, it often shows possession, like English my.

Examples:

  • buku saya = my book
  • nama saya = my name
  • rumah saya = my house
What does ada mean in this sentence?

Ada often means something like there is / exists / is located.

In this sentence, ada shows that the photocopy is located somewhere:

  • Fotokopi kartu identitas saya ada di map hijau. = My ID photocopy is in the green folder.

So ada is not exactly the same as English is, but in location sentences it often feels similar.

Compare:

  • Buku itu ada di meja. = The book is on the table.
  • Dia ada di rumah. = He/She is at home.
Why is there di before map?

Di is a preposition meaning in, at, on, depending on context.

Here:

  • di map hijau = in the green folder

So di marks the location.

A very important spelling point:

  • di written separately = preposition (in/at/on)
  • di- attached to a verb = passive prefix

Compare:

  • di map = in the folder
  • dibaca = read / is read
What does map mean here? Is it related to the English word map?

No. In Indonesian, map usually means a folder, file cover, or sometimes an office-style document holder.

So:

  • map hijau = green folder

This is a false friend for English speakers, because English map usually means a picture of a place or geography. Indonesian map does not usually mean that.

Why is it map hijau and not hijau map?

In Indonesian, adjectives usually come after the noun.

So:

  • map hijau = green folder
  • mobil merah = red car
  • rumah besar = big house

This is one of the most basic word-order differences from English.

Could I also say di dalam map hijau?

Yes. Di dalam map hijau would also be natural, and it is a bit more explicit about being inside the folder.

Compare:

  • di map hijau = in the green folder
  • di dalam map hijau = inside the green folder

In many everyday situations, di map hijau is enough and sounds natural.

Is kartu identitas a common expression? Would Indonesians also say something else?

Yes, kartu identitas is a correct and understandable general expression meaning identity card.

But in Indonesia, people very often refer to specific ID documents by name, for example:

  • KTP = Indonesian national identity card
  • SIM = driver’s license

So depending on context, someone might say:

  • fotokopi KTP saya
  • fotokopi kartu identitas saya

The version in your sentence is more general.

Is fotokopi a noun or a verb here?

Here, fotokopi is a noun: photocopy.

So the whole noun phrase is:

  • fotokopi kartu identitas saya = photocopy of my ID card

But fotokopi can also be used in verbal expressions, especially with memfotokopi:

  • Saya memfotokopi dokumen itu. = I photocopied / photocopy that document.

In everyday speech, people may also casually use fotokopi almost like a verb in context, but in your sentence it is clearly a noun.

Why is there no word for a or the in the sentence?

Indonesian usually does not use articles like English a, an, and the.

So:

  • fotokopi kartu identitas saya could mean a photocopy of my ID card or the photocopy of my ID card, depending on context.

Usually the situation tells you which meaning is intended.

This is very normal in Indonesian. You often have to rely on context more than in English.

What is the basic structure of the whole sentence?

The structure is:

  • Fotokopi kartu identitas saya = subject/topic
  • ada = is located / exists
  • di map hijau = in the green folder

So the pattern is roughly:

[thing] + ada + di + [place]

Examples:

  • Buku saya ada di meja. = My book is on the table.
  • Kunci mobil ada di tas. = The car key is in the bag.
  • Dia ada di kantor. = He/She is at the office.

This is a very common Indonesian pattern for saying where something or someone is.

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