Tuesday, May 14, 2013

How to express "Plurality" in Indonesian Language ?

A. To make a noun become plural, duplicate or repeat the noun twice
     ( rumah-rumah = houses; mobil-mobil =cars )

Repetition noun = Plural noun

For example :
  • Orang-orang yang berbaju kuning berumah di sini
  • Buku-buku itu berwarna merah
  • Mereka berbicara dengan dokter-dokter itu
But sometimes, it's not necessary, there are two other ways to express plurality in Indonesian language :

1. It happens when the word or the content of the text stating plurality
  • Buku itu menceritakan tentang makanan
  • Setiap orang punya kaki untuk berjalan
2. When It's already modified by numerals and words showing quantity
  • Semua orang = all people
  • Banyak mobil = many cars
  • Tiga orang guru = three teachers
  • Beberapa komputer = several computers


B. Adding word "pada" before nouns expressing a group of persons or people
  • Para dokter menemukan cara untuk menyembuhkan penyakit itu
  • Para turis berkunjung ke Bali
  • Saya tadi berbicara dengan para member
C. Sometimes, adjective also becomes plural by doubling the word
     in order to show that the plurality of the noun qualified by the adjective
  • Di sana ada barang yang bagus-bagus
  • Murid di sekolah itu pintar-pintar semua
  • Para mahasiswa itu mendapat nilai yang rendah-rendah
D. Duplication followed by suffix "-an" shows variety
  • Buku-bukuan ( all kinds of books )
  • Sayur-sayuran ( all kinds of vegetables )
  • Makan-makanan ( all sort of foods )

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