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Nexal Code: indo-22-bahwa-conjunction-subordinator
Welcome to Lesson 22 of the Latinum Institute Indonesian Modern Language Course. Today we explore bahwa, the essential subordinating conjunction meaning “that” when it introduces dependent clauses. This word serves as the bridge between a main clause and its embedded thought, opinion, or reported statement.
In English, we say “I know that he is coming” or “She believes that the story is true.” Indonesian uses bahwa in precisely this function—connecting what someone thinks, says, knows, or believes to the content of that thought or statement.
What does “bahwa” mean in Indonesian? Bahwa is the subordinating conjunction meaning “that,” used to introduce noun clauses following verbs of cognition, speech, belief, and perception. It functions as a grammatical bridge connecting a main clause to its dependent clause.
One crucial advantage for English speakers: unlike English, Indonesian does not require tense changes in reported speech. “He said that he is coming” and “He said that he was coming” would both use the same present-tense verb in Indonesian after bahwa.
Course Navigation: For the complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Key Takeaways -
Bahwa introduces noun clauses (clauses functioning as subjects or objects) -
It follows verbs of saying, thinking, knowing, believing, hoping, and perceiving -
No tense shift required in Indonesian reported speech -
More common in formal registers; sometimes omitted in casual conversation -
Word order within the bahwa-clause remains standard SVO
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Each example presents the Indonesian sentence with granular word-by-word glossing. Line a shows standard spelling with glosses; line b provides pronunciation guidance with glosses.
22.1a Saya I tahu know bahwa that dia he/she datang comes
22.1b Saya (SA-ya) I tahu (TA-hu) know bahwa (BAH-wa) that dia (DI-a) he/she datang (da-TANG) comes
22.2a Ibu mother percaya believes bahwa that anaknya her-child pintar clever
22.2b Ibu (I-bu) mother percaya (per-CHA-ya) believes bahwa (BAH-wa) that anaknya (a-NAK-nya) her-child pintar (PIN-tar) clever
22.3a Mereka they mengatakan say bahwa that cuaca weather akan will berubah change
22.3b Mereka (me-RE-ka) they mengatakan (me-nga-ta-KAN) say bahwa (BAH-wa) that cuaca (chu-A-cha) weather akan (A-kan) will berubah (be-RU-bah) change
22.4a Guru teacher menjelaskan explained bahwa that bumi earth bulat round
22.4b Guru (GU-ru) teacher menjelaskan (men-je-LAS-kan) explained bahwa (BAH-wa) that bumi (BU-mi) earth bulat (BU-lat) round
22.5a Kami we berharap hope bahwa that kamu you sehat healthy
22.5b Kami (KA-mi) we berharap (ber-HA-rap) hope bahwa (BAH-wa) that kamu (KA-mu) you sehat (SE-hat) healthy
22.6a Berita news itu that menyatakan states bahwa that harga price naik rises
22.6b Berita (be-RI-ta) news itu (I-tu) that menyatakan (me-nya-ta-KAN) states bahwa (BAH-wa) that harga (HAR-ga) price naik (NA-ik) rises
22.7a Dia he/she memberitahu told saya me bahwa that dia he/she tidak not bisa can hadir attend
22.7b Dia (DI-a) he/she memberitahu (mem-be-ri-TA-hu) told saya (SA-ya) me bahwa (BAH-wa) that dia (DI-a) he/she tidak (TI-dak) not bisa (BI-sa) can hadir (HA-dir) attend
22.8a Semua all orang people tahu know bahwa that matahari sun terbit rises di in timur east
22.8b Semua (se-MU-a) all orang (O-rang) people tahu (TA-hu) know bahwa (BAH-wa) that matahari (ma-ta-HA-ri) sun terbit (TER-bit) rises di (di) in timur (TI-mur) east
22.9a Surat letter itu the menegaskan confirms bahwa that pertemuan meeting ditunda postponed
22.9b Surat (SU-rat) letter itu (I-tu) the menegaskan (me-ne-GAS-kan) confirms bahwa (BAH-wa) that pertemuan (per-te-MU-an) meeting ditunda (di-TUN-da) postponed
22.10a Ayah father yakin certain bahwa that keputusannya his-decision benar correct
22.10b Ayah (A-yah) father yakin (YA-kin) certain bahwa (BAH-wa) that keputusannya (ke-pu-tu-SAN-nya) his-decision benar (BE-nar) correct
22.11a Peneliti researcher menemukan found bahwa that tanaman plant ini this berkhasiat has-medicinal-properties
22.11b Peneliti (pe-ne-LI-ti) researcher menemukan (me-ne-MU-kan) found bahwa (BAH-wa) that tanaman (ta-NA-man) plant ini (I-ni) this berkhasiat (ber-kha-SI-at) has-medicinal-properties
22.12a Kenyataan fact bahwa that dia he/she pergi left mengejutkan surprises kami us
22.12b Kenyataan (ke-nya-ta-AN) fact bahwa (BAH-wa) that dia (DI-a) he/she pergi (PER-gi) left mengejutkan (meng-e-JUT-kan) surprises kami (KA-mi) us
22.13a Polisi police mengumumkan announced bahwa that tersangka suspect sudah already ditangkap arrested
22.13b Polisi (po-LI-si) police mengumumkan (meng-u-MUM-kan) announced bahwa (BAH-wa) that tersangka (ter-SANG-ka) suspect sudah (SU-dah) already ditangkap (di-TANG-kap) arrested
22.14a Jelas clear bahwa that masalah problem ini this rumit complicated
22.14b Jelas (JE-las) clear bahwa (BAH-wa) that masalah (ma-SA-lah) problem ini (I-ni) this rumit (RU-mit) complicated
22.15a Penulis author menyimpulkan concluded bahwa that pendidikan education adalah is kunci key kemajuan of-progress
22.15b Penulis (pe-NU-lis) author menyimpulkan (me-nyim-PUL-kan) concluded bahwa (BAH-wa) that pendidikan (pen-di-DI-kan) education adalah (a-da-LAH) is kunci (KUN-chi) key kemajuan (ke-ma-JU-an) of-progress
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The same fifteen examples in natural Indonesian word order with idiomatic English translations.
22.1 Saya tahu bahwa dia datang. “I know that he is coming.”
22.2 Ibu percaya bahwa anaknya pintar. “Mother believes that her child is clever.”
22.3 Mereka mengatakan bahwa cuaca akan berubah. “They say that the weather will change.”
22.4 Guru menjelaskan bahwa bumi bulat. “The teacher explained that the earth is round.”
22.5 Kami berharap bahwa kamu sehat. “We hope that you are well.”
22.6 Berita itu menyatakan bahwa harga naik. “That news states that prices are rising.”
22.7 Dia memberitahu saya bahwa dia tidak bisa hadir. “He told me that he couldn’t attend.”
22.8 Semua orang tahu bahwa matahari terbit di timur. “Everyone knows that the sun rises in the east.”
22.9 Surat itu menegaskan bahwa pertemuan ditunda. “The letter confirms that the meeting is postponed.”
22.10 Ayah yakin bahwa keputusannya benar. “Father is certain that his decision is correct.”
22.11 Peneliti menemukan bahwa tanaman ini berkhasiat. “The researcher found that this plant has medicinal properties.”
22.12 Kenyataan bahwa dia pergi mengejutkan kami. “The fact that she left surprised us.”
22.13 Polisi mengumumkan bahwa tersangka sudah ditangkap. “The police announced that the suspect has been arrested.”
22.14 Jelas bahwa masalah ini rumit. “It is clear that this problem is complicated.”
22.15 Penulis menyimpulkan bahwa pendidikan adalah kunci kemajuan. “The author concluded that education is the key to progress.”
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22.1 Saya tahu bahwa dia datang.
22.2 Ibu percaya bahwa anaknya pintar.
22.3 Mereka mengatakan bahwa cuaca akan berubah.
22.4 Guru menjelaskan bahwa bumi bulat.
22.5 Kami berharap bahwa kamu sehat.
22.6 Berita itu menyatakan bahwa harga naik.
22.7 Dia memberitahu saya bahwa dia tidak bisa hadir.
22.8 Semua orang tahu bahwa matahari terbit di timur.
22.9 Surat itu menegaskan bahwa pertemuan ditunda.
22.10 Ayah yakin bahwa keputusannya benar.
22.11 Peneliti menemukan bahwa tanaman ini berkhasiat.
22.12 Kenyataan bahwa dia pergi mengejutkan kami.
22.13 Polisi mengumumkan bahwa tersangka sudah ditangkap.
22.14 Jelas bahwa masalah ini rumit.
22.15 Penulis menyimpulkan bahwa pendidikan adalah kunci kemajuan.
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These are the grammar rules for bahwa:
1. Function and Position
Bahwa is a subordinating conjunction (konjungsi subordinatif) that introduces noun clauses (klausa nomina). It connects a main clause containing a verb of cognition, speech, or belief to the content of that cognition or statement.
The structure follows this pattern:
Main Clause + bahwa + Subordinate Clause
Example breakdown: -
Saya tahu (main clause: “I know”) -
bahwa (conjunction: “that”) -
dia datang (subordinate clause: “he comes”)
2. Verbs That Take Bahwa
Bahwa typically follows these verb categories:
Verbs of cognition: tahu (know), mengerti (understand), menyadari (realize), ingat (remember)
Verbs of belief: percaya (believe), yakin (be certain), berharap (hope), curiga (suspect)
Verbs of speech: mengatakan (say), memberitahu (tell), mengumumkan (announce), menyatakan (state), menjelaskan (explain)
Verbs of discovery: menemukan (find), membuktikan (prove), menunjukkan (show)
3. No Tense Shift in Reported Speech
Unlike English, Indonesian does not require tense changes in indirect speech. Compare:
English: He said that he was coming. (past tense in subordinate clause) Indonesian: Dia mengatakan bahwa dia datang. (present tense maintained)
This simplifies reported speech considerably for Indonesian learners.
4. Bahwa as Subject Marker
When the bahwa-clause functions as the subject of the sentence, it appears at the beginning:
Kenyataan bahwa dia pergi mengejutkan kami. “The fact that she left surprised us.”
Jelas bahwa masalah ini rumit. “It is clear that this problem is complicated.”
5. Formal vs. Informal Usage
Bahwa is more prevalent in formal Indonesian (written texts, news, academic discourse). In casual conversation, speakers often omit it:
Formal: Saya tahu bahwa dia datang. Informal: Saya tahu dia datang.
Both are grammatically acceptable, but written Indonesian typically includes bahwa for clarity.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “itu” instead of “bahwa” to introduce clauses Incorrect: *Saya tahu itu dia datang. Correct: Saya tahu bahwa dia datang.
Mistake 2: Applying English tense-shift rules Unnecessary: *Dia mengatakan bahwa dia sudah datang. (if reporting present action) Natural: Dia mengatakan bahwa dia datang.
Mistake 3: Omitting bahwa in formal writing where it should appear Overly casual: *Laporan menyatakan harga naik. Formal: Laporan menyatakan bahwa harga naik.
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Register and Formality
In Indonesian society, the distinction between formal and informal language carries significant weight. Bahwa belongs firmly to the formal register (bahasa baku). Its presence signals careful, educated speech—the kind expected in: -
Academic lectures and papers -
News broadcasts and journalism -
Official documents and legal texts -
Formal speeches and presentations -
Business correspondence
In everyday conversation among friends and family (bahasa sehari-hari), Indonesians frequently drop bahwa without losing meaning. This reflects the language’s flexibility and the cultural preference for efficiency in casual settings.
Written Culture
Indonesian literature, from the independence era onward, has used bahwa extensively. Writers like Pramoedya Ananta Toer employed it in complex sentences that conveyed philosophical and political ideas. Reading Indonesian novels provides excellent exposure to bahwa in sophisticated contexts.
News Media
Indonesian news broadcasts (berita) use bahwa constantly when reporting statements, findings, and announcements. Listening to programs from TVRI, MetroTV, or Kompas TV offers authentic practice with this construction.
Regional Variation
While bahwa is standard across Indonesia, speakers of regional languages may substitute local equivalents in informal code-switching. The standard form remains consistent in formal national discourse regardless of the speaker’s background.
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The following excerpt is adapted from Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Indonesia’s most celebrated novelist. Written during his imprisonment on Buru Island, this novel explores colonial-era Java through the eyes of a young Javanese intellectual named Minke.
Terasa felt benar truly ia she pandai skilled menawan captivating dan and menggenggam gripping aku me dalam in tangannya her-hand . Aku I pun also kehilangan lost pertimbangan consideration , bahwa that ia she hanyalah only-was seorang a gundik concubine .
Terasa (te-RA-sa) felt benar (BE-nar) truly ia (I-a) she pandai (PAN-dai) skilled menawan (me-NA-wan) captivating dan (dan) and menggenggam (meng-geng-GAM) gripping aku (A-ku) me dalam (DA-lam) in tangannya (ta-NGAN-nya) her-hand. Aku (A-ku) I pun (pun) also kehilangan (ke-hi-LA-ngan) lost pertimbangan (per-tim-BA-ngan) consideration, bahwa (BAH-wa) that ia (I-a) she hanyalah (ha-nya-LAH) only-was seorang (se-O-rang) a gundik (GUN-dik) concubine.
Terasa benar ia pandai menawan dan menggenggam aku dalam tangannya. Aku pun kehilangan pertimbangan, bahwa ia hanyalah seorang gundik.
“I truly felt how skilled she was at captivating and holding me in her grasp. I even lost sight of the consideration that she was merely a concubine.”
Terasa benar ia pandai menawan dan menggenggam aku dalam tangannya. Aku pun kehilangan pertimbangan, bahwa ia hanyalah seorang gundik.
Key vocabulary: -
terasa — felt, perceived (passive form of “rasa”) -
menawan — captivating, charming (from “tawan,” to capture) -
menggenggam — to grip, to hold in one’s fist -
kehilangan — to lose (ke- + hilang + -an) -
pertimbangan — consideration, judgment -
hanyalah — merely, only (emphatic form of “hanya”) -
gundik — concubine (historical term)
Grammar point:
In this passage, “bahwa” introduces an appositive clause that explains the content of “pertimbangan” (consideration). The narrator describes forgetting the crucial fact (bahwa ia hanyalah seorang gundik) about the woman’s social status. This demonstrates bahwa connecting abstract nouns (like “kenyataan,” “pertimbangan,” “fakta”) to their explanatory content.
Literary context:
The character Nyai Ontosoroh, the “gundik” mentioned, becomes one of the most powerful female characters in Indonesian literature. Despite her lowly social status as a concubine to a Dutch colonist, she manages a successful business and raises her children with dignity. The narrator Minke’s forgetting that she is “merely a concubine” reflects his growing recognition of her humanity beyond colonial social categories.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1925–2006) is widely considered Indonesia’s greatest novelist. His Buru Quartet, of which Bumi Manusia is the first volume, was composed orally to fellow prisoners before being committed to paper. The novels were banned under the Suharto regime but have since become essential reading in Indonesian schools.
The use of bahwa in this passage performs crucial work: it marks the transition from emotional experience (being captivated) to rational knowledge (she is a concubine). The subordinate clause introduced by bahwa contains the social reality that Minke’s enchantment causes him to forget. This is precisely the function bahwa serves—connecting perception or belief to its propositional content.
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The following section presents a coherent news-style narrative using bahwa throughout. This genre represents one of the most common contexts for this conjunction in modern Indonesian.
22.16a Pemerintah government mengumumkan announced bahwa that kebijakan policy baru new akan will berlaku be-in-effect bulan month depan next
22.16b Pemerintah (pe-me-RIN-tah) government mengumumkan (meng-u-MUM-kan) announced bahwa (BAH-wa) that kebijakan (ke-bi-JA-kan) policy baru (BA-ru) new akan (A-kan) will berlaku (ber-LA-ku) be-in-effect bulan (BU-lan) month depan (DE-pan) next
22.17a Menteri minister menegaskan affirmed bahwa that program program ini this akan will menguntungkan benefit masyarakat community
22.17b Menteri (men-TE-ri) minister menegaskan (me-ne-GAS-kan) affirmed bahwa (BAH-wa) that program (pro-GRAM) program ini (I-ni) this akan (A-kan) will menguntungkan (meng-un-TUNG-kan) benefit masyarakat (ma-sya-ra-KAT) community
22.18a Para the-PL ahli experts memperingatkan warned bahwa that dampak impact perubahan of-change iklim climate semakin increasingly nyata real
22.18b Para (PA-ra) the-PL ahli (AH-li) experts memperingatkan (mem-pe-ri-NGAT-kan) warned bahwa (BAH-wa) that dampak (DAM-pak) impact perubahan (pe-ru-BA-han) of-change iklim (IK-lim) climate semakin (se-MA-kin) increasingly nyata (NYA-ta) real
22.19a Laporan report menunjukkan shows bahwa that angka number pengangguran of-unemployment menurun decreases
22.19b Laporan (la-PO-ran) report menunjukkan (me-nun-JUK-kan) shows bahwa (BAH-wa) that angka (ANG-ka) number pengangguran (peng-ang-GU-ran) of-unemployment menurun (me-NU-run) decreases
22.20a Juru expert bicara spokesperson menyampaikan conveyed bahwa that presiden president akan will berkunjung visit ke to daerah region terdampak affected
22.20b Juru (JU-ru) expert bicara (bi-CHA-ra) spokesperson menyampaikan (me-nyam-PAI-kan) conveyed bahwa (BAH-wa) that presiden (pre-si-DEN) president akan (A-kan) will berkunjung (ber-KUN-jung) visit ke (ke) to daerah (da-E-rah) region terdampak (ter-DAM-pak) affected
22.21a Survei survey membuktikan proves bahwa that mayoritas majority warga citizens mendukung support rencana plan tersebut the-mentioned
22.21b Survei (sur-VEI) survey membuktikan (mem-buk-TI-kan) proves bahwa (BAH-wa) that mayoritas (ma-yo-ri-TAS) majority warga (WAR-ga) citizens mendukung (men-DU-kung) support rencana (ren-CHA-na) plan tersebut (ter-SE-but) the-mentioned
22.22a Saksi witness bersaksi testified bahwa that kejadian incident itu that terjadi occurred pada at malam night hari day
22.22b Saksi (SAK-si) witness bersaksi (ber-SAK-si) testified bahwa (BAH-wa) that kejadian (ke-ja-DI-an) incident itu (I-tu) that terjadi (ter-JA-di) occurred pada (PA-da) at malam (MA-lam) night hari (HA-ri) day
22.23a Dokumen document itu the memperlihatkan reveals bahwa that anggaran budget telah has disetujui been-approved
22.23b Dokumen (do-ku-MEN) document itu (I-tu) the memperlihatkan (mem-per-li-HAT-kan) reveals bahwa (BAH-wa) that anggaran (ang-GA-ran) budget telah (te-LAH) has disetujui (di-se-tu-JUI) been-approved
22.24a Diketahui it-is-known bahwa that perusahaan company tersebut the-mentioned sudah already beroperasi operates selama for sepuluh ten tahun years
22.24b Diketahui (di-ke-ta-HUI) it-is-known bahwa (BAH-wa) that perusahaan (pe-ru-sa-ha-AN) company tersebut (ter-SE-but) the-mentioned sudah (SU-dah) already beroperasi (ber-o-pe-RA-si) operates selama (se-LA-ma) for sepuluh (se-PU-luh) ten tahun (TA-hun) years
22.25a Wartawan journalist melaporkan reported bahwa that demonstrasi demonstration berlangsung proceeded dengan with damai peace
22.25b Wartawan (war-ta-WAN) journalist melaporkan (me-la-POR-kan) reported bahwa (BAH-wa) that demonstrasi (de-mon-stra-SI) demonstration berlangsung (ber-LANG-sung) proceeded dengan (de-NGAN) with damai (da-MAI) peace
22.26a Tidak not dapat able dipungkiri be-denied bahwa that kemajuan progress teknologi technology mengubah changes kehidupan life kita our
22.26b Tidak (TI-dak) not dapat (da-PAT) able dipungkiri (di-pung-KI-ri) be-denied bahwa (BAH-wa) that kemajuan (ke-ma-JU-an) progress teknologi (tek-no-LO-gi) technology mengubah (meng-U-bah) changes kehidupan (ke-hi-DU-pan) life kita (KI-ta) our
22.27a Bank bank sentral central menyatakan stated bahwa that inflasi inflation terkendali under-control
22.27b Bank (bank) bank sentral (sen-TRAL) central menyatakan (me-nya-ta-KAN) stated bahwa (BAH-wa) that inflasi (in-fla-SI) inflation terkendali (ter-ken-DA-li) under-control
22.28a Banyak many orang people khawatir worry bahwa that bencana disaster serupa similar akan will terulang recur
22.28b Banyak (BA-nyak) many orang (O-rang) people khawatir (kha-wa-TIR) worry bahwa (BAH-wa) that bencana (ben-CHA-na) disaster serupa (se-RU-pa) similar akan (A-kan) will terulang (ter-U-lang) recur
22.29a Analisis analysis menunjukkan indicates bahwa that pertumbuhan growth ekonomi economic stabil stable
22.29b Analisis (a-na-LI-sis) analysis menunjukkan (me-nun-JUK-kan) indicates bahwa (BAH-wa) that pertumbuhan (per-tum-BU-han) growth ekonomi (e-ko-NO-mi) economic stabil (sta-BIL) stable
22.30a Hakim judge memutuskan decided bahwa that terdakwa defendant tidak not bersalah guilty
22.30b Hakim (HA-kim) judge memutuskan (me-mu-TUS-kan) decided bahwa (BAH-wa) that terdakwa (ter-DAK-wa) defendant tidak (TI-dak) not bersalah (ber-SA-lah) guilty
22.16 Pemerintah mengumumkan bahwa kebijakan baru akan berlaku bulan depan. “The government announced that the new policy will take effect next month.”
22.17 Menteri menegaskan bahwa program ini akan menguntungkan masyarakat. “The minister affirmed that this program will benefit the community.”
22.18 Para ahli memperingatkan bahwa dampak perubahan iklim semakin nyata. “Experts warned that the impact of climate change is increasingly evident.”
22.19 Laporan menunjukkan bahwa angka pengangguran menurun. “The report shows that unemployment figures are declining.”
22.20 Juru bicara menyampaikan bahwa presiden akan berkunjung ke daerah terdampak. “The spokesperson conveyed that the president will visit the affected region.”
22.21 Survei membuktikan bahwa mayoritas warga mendukung rencana tersebut. “The survey proves that the majority of citizens support the plan.”
22.22 Saksi bersaksi bahwa kejadian itu terjadi pada malam hari. “The witness testified that the incident occurred at night.”
22.23 Dokumen itu memperlihatkan bahwa anggaran telah disetujui. “The document reveals that the budget has been approved.”
22.24 Diketahui bahwa perusahaan tersebut sudah beroperasi selama sepuluh tahun. “It is known that the company has been operating for ten years.”
22.25 Wartawan melaporkan bahwa demonstrasi berlangsung dengan damai. “The journalist reported that the demonstration proceeded peacefully.”
22.26 Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa kemajuan teknologi mengubah kehidupan kita. “It cannot be denied that technological progress is changing our lives.”
22.27 Bank sentral menyatakan bahwa inflasi terkendali. “The central bank stated that inflation is under control.”
22.28 Banyak orang khawatir bahwa bencana serupa akan terulang. “Many people worry that a similar disaster will recur.”
22.29 Analisis menunjukkan bahwa pertumbuhan ekonomi stabil. “Analysis indicates that economic growth is stable.”
22.30 Hakim memutuskan bahwa terdakwa tidak bersalah. “The judge decided that the defendant is not guilty.”
22.16 Pemerintah mengumumkan bahwa kebijakan baru akan berlaku bulan depan.
22.17 Menteri menegaskan bahwa program ini akan menguntungkan masyarakat.
22.18 Para ahli memperingatkan bahwa dampak perubahan iklim semakin nyata.
22.19 Laporan menunjukkan bahwa angka pengangguran menurun.
22.20 Juru bicara menyampaikan bahwa presiden akan berkunjung ke daerah terdampak.
22.21 Survei membuktikan bahwa mayoritas warga mendukung rencana tersebut.
22.22 Saksi bersaksi bahwa kejadian itu terjadi pada malam hari.
22.23 Dokumen itu memperlihatkan bahwa anggaran telah disetujui.
22.24 Diketahui bahwa perusahaan tersebut sudah beroperasi selama sepuluh tahun.
22.25 Wartawan melaporkan bahwa demonstrasi berlangsung dengan damai.
22.26 Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa kemajuan teknologi mengubah kehidupan kita.
22.27 Bank sentral menyatakan bahwa inflasi terkendali.
22.28 Banyak orang khawatir bahwa bencana serupa akan terulang.
22.29 Analisis menunjukkan bahwa pertumbuhan ekonomi stabil.
22.30 Hakim memutuskan bahwa terdakwa tidak bersalah.
News Register Vocabulary
The news genre introduces formal vocabulary that frequently co-occurs with bahwa: -
mengumumkan (to announce) — from “umum” (public) -
menegaskan (to affirm, emphasize) — from “tegas” (firm) -
memperingatkan (to warn) — from “ingat” (remember) -
menyampaikan (to convey) — from “sampai” (arrive, reach) -
membuktikan (to prove) — from “bukti” (evidence) -
melaporkan (to report) — from “lapor” (report)
Passive Constructions with Bahwa
News Indonesian frequently uses passive voice in bahwa-clauses: -
Diketahui bahwa... (It is known that...) -
Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa... (It cannot be denied that...) -
Diharapkan bahwa... (It is hoped that...) -
Dilaporkan bahwa... (It is reported that...)
These impersonal constructions create the objective tone characteristic of journalism.
Hedging and Attribution
News writing uses bahwa to attribute statements to sources, maintaining journalistic objectivity: -
Menteri menyatakan bahwa... (The minister stated that...) -
Laporan menunjukkan bahwa... (The report shows that...)
This structure distances the journalist from the claim, presenting it as the source’s assertion rather than the journalist’s.
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Bahwa is pronounced /ˈbahwa/ with two syllables: -
bah — like English “bah” (exclamation) -
wa — like English “wa” in “water”
Stress falls on the first syllable: BAH-wa
Indonesian Phonological Notes
Indonesian pronunciation is generally straightforward for English speakers: -
Vowels are pure (no diphthongization): a = /a/, i = /i/, u = /u/, e = /ə/ or /e/, o = /o/ -
Consonants are mostly familiar -
c is always pronounced /tʃ/ (like English “ch”) -
ng represents the velar nasal /ŋ/ (as in English “sing”) -
ny represents the palatal nasal /ɲ/ (as in Spanish “ñ”) -
r is typically a trill or tap
Common Mispronunciations to Avoid -
Do not pronounce the h as silent; it should be audible -
Avoid adding a glottal stop before the w -
Keep the a vowels short and pure, not elongated
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The Latinum Institute has been producing high-quality language learning materials since 2006. Our methodology centers on the interlinear glossed text approach, which accelerates comprehension by providing immediate access to meaning without the frustration of constant dictionary consultation.
Why Interlinear Glossing Works
When you see:
Saya I tahu know bahwa that dia he datang comes
Your brain processes the Indonesian structure directly alongside English meaning. This creates neural pathways that connect the foreign words to their meanings without the intermediate step of translation. Over time, you begin to recognize patterns and anticipate structures.
The Latinum Philosophy
We believe that: -
Authentic texts teach more than artificial examples -
High-frequency vocabulary provides maximum return on learning investment -
Grammar emerges naturally from extensive exposure to correct patterns -
Cultural context enriches linguistic understanding
Course Structure
This course follows a systematic progression through the most frequent words in Indonesian, ensuring that each lesson builds practical, usable knowledge. Every word you learn in our curriculum appears constantly in real Indonesian—newspapers, novels, conversations, broadcasts.
Further Resources -
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
Student Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
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✓ Lesson 22 Indonesian (Bahwa) complete
Nexal verification: 30 examples generated (15 main + 15 genre), all sections present, fleurons positioned correctly, granular glossing verified.
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