← Articles: a, an, the

What are articles?

Apa itu artikel?

English needs a small word before most singular nouns; Indonesian doesn't.

Inggris butuh kata kecil sebelum kebanyakan kata benda tunggal; Indonesia tidak.

See it

Tekan Play, lalu jelajahi tiap adegan.

I have a cat.

Indonesian: 'Saya punya kucing.' English adds a small word: a cat. Indonesia: 'Saya punya kucing.' Inggris menambah kata kecil: a cat.

Rules Aturan

  • Use a/an before a singular countable noun Pakai a/an sebelum kata benda tunggal yang terhitung
    I have a car. She is an artist. Saya punya mobil. Dia seniman.
  • No a/an with uncountable nouns Tanpa a/an untuk benda tak terhitung
    I need water and rice. (not a water) Saya butuh air dan nasi. (bukan a water)
  • No a/an with general plurals Tanpa a/an untuk jamak umum
    Cats are independent. Kucing itu mandiri.

One Indonesian sentence, many English ones Satu kalimat ID, banyak versi EN

  • 🇮🇩 Saya punya kucing.

    • I have a cat.
    • I have cats.
    • I have the cat.

    Indonesia tidak menandai tunggal/jamak/tertentu; Inggris memakai a / ∅ / the.

Common mistakes Kesalahan umum

  • ✗ I have car.
    ✓ I have a car.

    Benda tunggal terhitung butuh a.

  • ✗ She is nurse.
    ✓ She is a nurse.

    Profesi tunggal butuh a.

  • ✗ I want a rice.
    ✓ I want rice.

    Nasi tak terhitung → tanpa a.

  • ✗ I need an information.
    ✓ I need information.

    Information tak terhitung → tanpa an.

  • ✗ I have a shoes.
    ✓ I have shoes.

    Shoes jamak → tanpa a.

Quick check Cek cepat

  1. My uncle has ___ small warung.

    Paman saya punya ___ warung kecil.

  2. Can I have ___ rice, please?

    Boleh minta ___ nasi?

  3. ___ are friendly animals. (speaking generally)

    ___ hewan yang ramah. (secara umum)

Practise → 16 exercises