apa

What with Apa

Level 1

Apa is the Indonesian word for 'what'. It is used to ask about things, actions, or categories. In casual speech, it also functions as a simple way to start a yes/no question.

How It Works

The word apa is a fundamental building block in Indonesian. You can become confident with its main uses:

  • Asking 'What': Used to identify objects or actions. Indonesian is a 'Wh-in-situ' language, meaning apa can stay at the end of the sentence: Ini apa? (What is this?) or Kamu makan apa? (What are you eating?).
  • Choices (Or): In conversational Indonesian, apa often replaces atau when offering a choice: Merah apa biru? (Red or blue?).
  • Yes/No Questions: While rising intonation is the most common way to ask a yes/no question, you can place apa at the start for extra clarity, similar to a casual apakah.
  • Common Idioms: The phrase tidak apa-apa (literally 'not what-what') is the standard way to say 'it's okay' or 'no problem'. To express shock or 'what on earth', use apa-apaan.

Important Notes:
1. Subject Questions: When apa is the subject of the sentence, you must use yang after it: Apa yang terjadi? (What happened?).
2. Quantities and Time: For how much or how many, use berapa (how many/much), and for when use kapan (when). Apa can ask which named time unit, as in hari apa (what day).

Examples (6)

  1. Apa itu?

    What is that?

    Word by Word: What that?

    A standard question using 'apa' at the beginning to identify an object.

  2. Kamu mau minum apa?

    What do you want to drink?

    Word by Word: You want drink what?

    In Indonesian, the question word often stays in the same position as the answer (in-situ).

  3. Mau teh apa kopi?

    Do you want tea or coffee?

    Word by Word: Want tea what coffee?

    In casual speech, 'apa' is frequently used instead of atau to mean 'or' in choice questions.

  4. Tidak apa-apa.

    It's okay / No problem.

    Word by Word: Not what-what.

    A very common idiomatic expression meaning 'it doesn't matter' or 'nothing is wrong'.

  5. Apa yang terjadi?

    What happened?

    Word by Word: What that happen?

    When the question word 'apa' is the subject of the sentence, the word yang is grammatically required.

  6. Apa-apaan ini?

    What on earth is this?

    Word by Word: What-what-an this?

    An informal interjection used to express shock, confusion, or disapproval.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'apa' to ask for a person's name.

    Apa nama Anda?
    Siapa nama Anda?

    For a person’s name, learn the standard greeting model Siapa nama Anda? Use apa for identifying things and concepts. This is the recommended model rather than a claim about every possible name question in all varieties.

  • Thinking 'apa' must always be at the start of the sentence.

    Apa yang kamu beli?
    Kamu beli apa?

    Both word orders are standard and grammatical. A fronted yang question can focus on the identity of what was bought; the in-situ question keeps apa in the object position. Context and emphasis guide the choice.

How It Connects

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apaLevel 1What with Apa

Learn This First

To use 'apa' effectively, a learner needs to understand that Indonesian sentences can have noun predicates without a copula (like 'is'). They also need basic pronouns like 'ini' (this) and 'itu' (that) to form the most common introductory questions.

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