Verbs

Like no other languages (that I know), In Indonesian, you don’t need to figure out how to change a verb into certain tenses. Because in Indonesian, there’s no such thing as tense. So, it can be said that verbs in Indonesian are ALMOST unchangeable, at least by tense. “almost” doesn’t mean “fully”. So, one thing that could change a verb is whether a sentence is a passive or active. But, at this time, we don’t discuss it yet.

Just like English verb, the meaning of Indonesian verb can change due to affix that modifies a verb. Commonly, an Indonesian verb needs affix to make them a “real” or meaningful word. For example, infinitive form of “belajar” (study(-ies)/studied/studying) is “ajar” (to study). But “ajar” can’t be used in common Indonesian sentence. So “ajar” can’t stand alone. But, some verbs don’t need any affix. For example, the infinitive form of “duduk” (sit(s)/sat/sitting) is also “duduk”(to sit). But, if you try to add affix, you’ll change the meaning. For example, men+duduk+i = “menduduki”, means occupy or sit on something. But, those conditions above are valid in formal form or written Indonesian. In fact, some verbs can both stand alone or not in informal form or speaking Indonesian. But, for now, try to learn only the formal side. Ok ?!

If you want to find an Indonesian verb in dictionary you have to know what’s the dictionary form or the infinitive form (kata dasar) of the verb. At this time we’ll try to memorize several Indonesian basic verbs. Here are:

note that the verbs which can't stand alone (No) actually can stand alone in spoken Indonesian, but it's gramatically incorrect.