adalah
Definitional Copula Adalah
In Indonesian, you usually don't need a word for 'is/am/are'. However, in formal writing, adalah is used to define what something is (A = B).
How It Works
Unlike the English verb 'to be', adalah is not required in every sentence. Indonesian often uses noun predicates or adjective predicates without any linking word.
Key Rules:
- Identity: Use it to say 'A is B' where B is a noun (e.g., 'Pancasila is the philosophy...').
- Formal Register: It is common in textbooks, laws, and speeches, but rare in daily chat.
- Anti-Ambiguity: It helps separate a very long subject from its definition so the reader doesn't get lost.
- Restrictions: Adalah is unnecessary in a simple adjective predicate, but TBBI permits it with adjective predicates, especially to separate long constituents. For a simple physical location, use di or ada di as the basic model.
Examples (4)
- Pancasila adalah falsafah bangsa Indonesia.
Pancasila is the philosophy of the Indonesian nation.
Word by Word: Pancasila is philosophy nation Indonesia.
A classic formal definition using 'adalah' to link a proper noun to its identity.
- Dia adalah seorang guru yang sangat berdedikasi.
He is a very dedicated teacher.
Word by Word: He is a person teacher who very dedicated.
Here, 'adalah' links the subject 'dia' to a complex noun phrase.
- Masalah utamanya adalah bahwa kita kekurangan modal.
The main problem is that we lack capital.
Word by Word: Problem main-its is that we lack capital.
Used to link a subject to a 'bahwa' (that) clause.
- Ibu saya seorang dokter.
My mother is a doctor.
Word by Word: Mother my a doctor.
This shows the 'zero copula'—in neutral or casual speech, 'adalah' is omitted.
Common Mistakes
Using 'adalah' for location.
Saya adalah di kantor.Saya di kantor.For a simple location statement, use Saya di kantor or Saya ada di kantor. Adalah is useful for definitions and some longer descriptive predicates; it is not the general equivalent of English is at.
Using 'bukan adalah' for negation.
Dia bukan adalah guru.Dia bukan guru.For the ordinary meaning he/she is not a teacher, use Dia bukan guru. Bukan adalah is not the word order for this basic nominal negation; constructions discussing or correcting the quoted word adalah are a separate matter.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'adalah', a learner first needs to know that Indonesian usually forms predicates without a copula (linking verb). 'Adalah' is a specific formal marker used to define or classify nouns, so knowing the basic SVO structure and the standard zero-copula noun predicate is necessary to necessary to see where 'adalah' fits in.
Related Patterns
- ialahFormal Identifying Copula Ialah
Ialah is an identifying copula familiar in formal definitions. Its use is not explained by a blanket third-person-subject restriction.
Level 1 - bukanNegating Nouns with Bukan
The word used to negate the identity of a noun, replacing the need for 'adalah' in negative sentences.
Level 1 - adaThere Is or Are with Ada
While 'adalah' defines identity, 'ada' defines existence or presence.
Level 1 - Adjectives can be predicates
Shows the basic adjective predicate without a copula and the optional use of adalah to separate long constituents.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice adalah in Bubblegum
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