tidak

Negating Verbs and Adjectives with Tidak

Level 1

Tidak is the standard not for ordinary verbal, adjectival, and many prepositional predicates. It precedes the phrase it negates; another modifier may intervene before the main predicate.

How It Works

The word tidak is an essential tool in Indonesian. It functions as a negator that precedes the word or phrase it modifies.

1. Placement
Place tidak before the verb, adjective, or prepositional phrase indicating location. Unlike English, Indonesian does not require 'helper' verbs like 'do' or 'does'.
Example: Saya di rumah (I am at home) → Saya tidak di rumah (I am not at home).

2. Register and Variants

  • Tidak: Standard and formal form.
  • Tak: Shortened version often found in literature.
  • Nggak/Gak: Common colloquial versions for everyday conversation.
  • Ndak: A common regional variant, particularly in Java.

3. Important Distinctions
Distinguish tidak from bukan. While tidak negates actions, qualities, and locations, bukan is used for identity and for rejecting a proposed alternative, including prepositional phrases such as bukan untuk saya (not for me). The ordinary/contrastive distinction is broader than a rigid division between location and every other preposition.

Note: bukan can occasionally negate verbs or adjectives if you are emphasizing a specific contrast, such as bukan malas, tetapi bodoh (not lazy, but stupid).

Not Yet and Prohibition: Belum makan specifically means not yet eaten; tidak makan simply reports not eating and need not express refusal or a permanent habit. Jangan pergi is the ordinary direct prohibition. Tidak pergi is a negative statement in its ordinary use, though a statement may function as an order in context.

Examples (5)

  1. Saya tidak tidur.

    I am not sleeping.

    Word by Word: I not sleep.

    Here, 'tidak' negates the verb 'tidur' (to sleep).

  2. Mobil itu tidak mahal.

    That car is not expensive.

    Word by Word: Car that not expensive.

    Here, 'tidak' negates the adjective 'mahal' (expensive).

  3. Mereka tidak datang hari ini.

    They are not coming today.

    Word by Word: They not come day this.

    The negator 'tidak' comes before the verb 'datang' (to come).

  4. Makanan ini tidak pedas.

    This food is not spicy.

    Word by Word: Food this not spicy.

    The negator 'tidak' comes before the adjective 'pedas' (spicy).

  5. Dia tidak suka kopi.

    He/She does not like coffee.

    Word by Word: He/She not like coffee.

    In Indonesian, you don't need 'does'—just 'tidak' before the verb 'suka' (to like).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tidak' to negate a noun.

    Saya tidak guru.
    Saya bukan guru.

    For the ordinary identification I am not a teacher, use bukan guru. Tidak is the usual negator for verbal and adjectival predicates and many prepositional predicates.

How It Connects

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tidakLevel 1Negating Verbs and Adjectives with Tidak

Learn This First

To use 'tidak' correctly, you need to understand the basic structure of Indonesian sentences where verbs and adjectives act as predicates without needing a copula (like 'is' or 'are').

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