bisa + Verb

Ability with Bisa

Level 1

bisa + [verb]
The most common way to say 'can' or 'be able to' in everyday Indonesian.

How It Works

In Indonesian, bisa is the primary word for 'can.' It functions as a helper word that comes directly before the main verb.

1. Expressing Ability
Use bisa when you have the skill or physical capacity to do something. For example, speaking a language or driving a car.

2. Expressing Possibility
Use bisa when an action is possible due to circumstances. For example, 'Jalan ini bisa macet' (This road can be congested) or 'Saya bisa datang besok' (I can come tomorrow).

3. Word Order
The basic declarative order taught here is: Subject + bisa + Verb. Because there is no subject-verb agreement in Indonesian, bisa never changes its form regardless of who is doing the action.

4. Formal vs. Informal
While bisa is standard, in very formal writing or speeches, you might see the word dapat used instead. Both are standard; bisa is very common in everyday speech.

5. Important Distinction
Boleh explicitly asks about permission. Bisa saya masuk? can also function as a request for permission in context; it need not ask only whether entry is physically possible. Bisa bantu saya? asks for help.

6. Fun Fact: The Homonym
In Indonesian, bisa is also a noun meaning 'venom' (like from a snake). You can easily tell the difference from the context: if it is before a verb, it means 'can'; if it is related to an animal, it likely means 'venom'.

Examples (5)

  1. Saya bisa bicara bahasa Indonesia.

    I can speak Indonesian.

    Word by Word: I can speak language Indonesia.

    This demonstrates an acquired skill (ability).

  2. Apakah kamu bisa datang besok?

    Can you come tomorrow?

    Word by Word: [Question marker] you can come tomorrow?

    This asks about a practical possibility based on a schedule.

  3. Dia tidak bisa berenang.

    He/She cannot swim.

    Word by Word: He/She not can swim.

    To negate ability, place tidak before 'bisa'.

  4. Mobil ini bisa jalan.

    This car can run (move).

    Word by Word: Car this can walk/move.

    Shows the capability of an object.

  5. Budi bisa memasak nasi goreng.

    Budi can cook fried rice.

    Word by Word: Budi can cook rice fried.

    Shows a specific skill using a prefixed verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing permission with a statement of ability.

    Saya bisa berenang. (Maksud: hanya sudah mendapat izin, bukan menyatakan kemampuan.)
    Saya boleh berenang.

    Boleh directly expresses permission, while bisa here describes ability or possibility. In a question such as Bisa saya masuk?, bisa can pragmatically request permission, so that question is not inherently wrong.

  • Placing 'bisa' after the verb.

    Saya menyanyi bisa.
    Saya bisa menyanyi.

    Use Subject + bisa + Verb for this basic declarative statement. This is a teaching model for the unmarked order, not a ban on every conversational afterthought or topicalized construction.

How It Connects

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bisa + VerbLevel 1Ability with Bisa

Learn This First

To use 'bisa' (can/ability), you simply need to understand the basic Indonesian sentence structure where the modal 'bisa' is placed directly before the base verb. Since Indonesian verbs do not change for tense or subject agreement, this pattern is a straightforward addition to the basic SVO sentence.

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