HSC Indonesian Beginners key terms

A verb; a word that names an action or state, such as makan (eat), pergi (go) or tinggal (live). Recognising verbs helps you follow who does what in a spoken or written text.

A noun; a word for a person, place, thing or idea, such as guru (teacher), pasar (market) or cuaca (weather). Nouns often carry the main topic information in listening and reading passages.

An adjective; a word that describes a noun, such as besar (big), murah (cheap) or ramah (friendly). Adjectives usually follow the noun in Indonesian, so listen for them after the person or object named.

An adverb; a word that tells how, when or where something happens, such as cepat (quickly), besok (tomorrow) or di sini (here). These words often answer the detail questions asked after a short recording.

An affix; a prefix or suffix attached to a root word to change its meaning or grammar, as in ber- + main becoming bermain. Spotting affixes helps you work out unfamiliar words and identify verbs in a sentence.

A very common verb prefix whose written form changes with the first sound of the root, as in mengambil, membaca and menulis. It usually marks an active verb, often one acting on an object.

A prefix forming passive verbs, as in dibeli (is bought) or ditulis (is written). Passive forms appear often in notices and descriptions, so recognising di- helps you tell who receives the action.

A prefix meaning to have, to wear or to do, as in bersepeda (to cycle) or berbaju (wearing a shirt). It often signals a state or an activity without a direct object.

A pronoun; a word replacing a name, such as saya, kamu, dia, kami and mereka. Tracking pronouns is essential in listening tasks where speakers refer back to people already mentioned.

We, excluding the person spoken to; for example, Kami pergi ke Bali means we went to Bali and you did not come. Distinguish it from kita, which includes the listener.

We, including the person spoken to, as in Ayo kita makan (let us eat, together). Choosing between kita and kami shows whether the listener is part of the group.

Already or have completed; a marker showing an action is finished, as in Saya sudah makan. It signals completed events in past-tense narratives and contrasts with belum (not yet).

Not yet; used when something expected has not happened, as in Dia belum datang. It is a frequent answer option in listening questions about whether an action has occurred.

Will or going to; a word marking the future, as in Kami akan berlibur bulan depan. It helps you place events in time when answering questions about plans.

Currently in the middle of doing something, as in Ibu sedang memasak. It marks an action happening now and often appears alongside time words in spoken dialogues.

No or not; the usual negator for verbs and adjectives, as in Saya tidak suka kopi. Use it to reject statements and to recognise negative answers in listening tasks.

Not; the negator used before nouns, as in Dia bukan guru, dia dokter. Choosing correctly between bukan and tidak is a common accuracy point in writing.

Time; also used in phrases naming when something happens, such as pada waktu itu (at that time). Time expressions are frequent targets of listening and reading questions.

Day; the base of day names such as hari Senin and hari libur (holiday). Knowing day words helps you follow schedules, appointments and opening hours in texts.

Hour or clock; used for telling time, as in jam tujuh (seven o'clock) and berapa jam (how many hours). It appears constantly in timetables, announcements and travel plans.

A preposition meaning in, at or on when placed before a place, as in di sekolah or di pasar. Written separately from the place word, unlike the passive prefix di-.

A preposition meaning to or towards a place, as in pergi ke pantai (go to the beach). It contrasts with di (at) and is essential for describing movement and directions.

From; showing origin or starting point, as in Saya dari Australia and dari rumah ke sekolah. It also appears in time phrases such as dari pagi sampai malam.

A linking word meaning who, which or that, as in buku yang baru (the new book). It joins a noun to its description and helps you unpack longer sentences in reading texts.

Because; introduces a reason, as in Saya terlambat karena hujan. Recognising cause-and-effect links helps you answer why-questions about a text.

But; signals a contrast, as in Murah, tetapi tidak enak. It marks a change of direction in an argument or description and often precedes the key point of an answer.

So or therefore; introduces a result, as in Hujan, jadi kami tinggal di rumah. Also used informally to mean become, so check the surrounding words for meaning.

To ask for or request something, as in Saya minta air putih or minta tolong. Common in service situations and dialogues set in shops, restaurants and hotels.

Please help or please do something; a polite request word, as in Tolong buka pintu. It is a core expression for spoken tasks such as asking for assistance or directions.

Sorry or excuse me; used to apologise or to attract attention politely, as in Maaf, saya terlambat. Essential for opening a spoken exchange or responding in role-play tasks.

Thank you; the standard expression of gratitude, often followed by kembali (you are welcome) in reply. It appears in almost every polite dialogue and email you will read or write.

You are welcome; the usual friendly reply to terima kasih. Knowing this pair helps you follow short transactional dialogues and respond appropriately in speaking tasks.

How many or how much; a question word used for prices, times and quantities, as in Berapa harganya? It is a frequent cue in listening questions about numbers.

Price; the amount something costs, as in Harganya lima puluh ribu rupiah. Price questions are common in shopping dialogues and short advertisements.

Money; used in phrases such as uang tunai (cash) and tidak punya uang. It appears in transactional texts about paying, saving and budgeting.

Cheap or inexpensive, as in Harganya murah sekali. Together with mahal (expensive) it lets you compare products and understand opinions in reviews or dialogues.

Address; the details of where a person lives or where a place is located. It is a typical detail you must catch when listening to arrangements or reading a message.

To send, as in Saya kirim surat or kirim pesan. Useful for messages, parcels and emails, and often paired with details about when and where something is sent.

Letter or written message, including surat elektronik (email). Recognising the parts of a letter helps in reading tasks and in writing your own short messages.