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In this lesson, we explore the Indonesian word waktu, meaning “time.” This fundamental noun encompasses both abstract temporal concepts and serves as a versatile subordinating conjunction meaning “when.” Indonesian offers a rich vocabulary for expressing time, with waktu representing the general concept of time as duration or a point in time, while related words like jam (hour/clock time), saat (moment), kali (instance), and masa (period/era) capture different temporal nuances.
Unlike English, where “time” must often be specified with additional words, Indonesian waktu functions flexibly in multiple grammatical roles. Most notably, waktu transforms into a conjunction meaning “when” in subordinate clauses—a feature that English speakers must master. The phrase pada waktu (at the time) formalizes temporal reference, while waktu itu (at that time/then) creates past temporal deixis.
This lesson provides fifteen examples demonstrating waktu across various contexts, followed by a news report genre section where time references naturally dominate the discourse.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “waktu” mean in Indonesian?
“Waktu” is the Indonesian word for “time,” referring to the abstract concept of temporal duration or a specific point in time. It derives from Arabic “waqt” (وقت) and entered Indonesian through centuries of Islamic scholarly and trade contact. Beyond its noun function, “waktu” also serves as a subordinating conjunction meaning “when,” as in “Waktu saya kecil” (When I was small).
Key Takeaways
This lesson will teach you to use waktu as both a noun and conjunction, distinguish it from related time words (jam, saat, kali, masa), construct temporal subordinate clauses, and express various time concepts naturally in Indonesian conversation and writing.
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45.1a Waktu time sangat very berharga precious
45.1b Waktu (WAK-too) time sangat (SA-ngat) very berharga (ber-HAR-ga) precious
45.2a Saya I tidak not punya have waktu time
45.2b Saya (SA-ya) I tidak (TEE-dak) not punya (POON-ya) have waktu (WAK-too) time
45.3a Waktu time berjalan walks cepat fast
45.3b Waktu (WAK-too) time berjalan (ber-JA-lan) walks cepat (CHE-pat) fast
45.4a Berapa how-much waktu time yang REL kita we butuhkan need
45.4b Berapa (be-RA-pa) how-much waktu (WAK-too) time yang (yang) REL kita (KEE-ta) we butuhkan (boo-TOOH-kan) need
45.5a Waktu when dia he datang came saya I sedang PROG tidur sleep
45.5b Waktu (WAK-too) when dia (DEE-a) he datang (DA-tang) came saya (SA-ya) I sedang (se-DANG) PROG tidur (TEE-door) sleep
45.6a Mereka they menghabiskan spent waktu time di at pantai beach
45.6b Mereka (me-RE-ka) they menghabiskan (meng-ha-BIS-kan) spent waktu (WAK-too) time di (dee) at pantai (PAN-tai) beach
45.7a Pada at waktu time itu that kami we-EXCL masih still muda young
45.7b Pada (PA-da) at waktu (WAK-too) time itu (EE-too) that kami (KA-mee) we-EXCL masih (MA-seeh) still muda (MOO-da) young
45.8a Waktu time adalah is uang money
45.8b Waktu (WAK-too) time adalah (a-da-LAH) is uang (OO-ang) money
45.9a Dia she selalu always datang comes tepat exact waktu time
45.9b Dia (DEE-a) she selalu (se-LA-loo) always datang (DA-tang) comes tepat (TE-pat) exact waktu (WAK-too) time
45.10a Waktu when kecil small saya I sering often bermain play di at sungai river
45.10b Waktu (WAK-too) when kecil (ke-CHEEL) small saya (SA-ya) I sering (SE-ring) often bermain (ber-MA-een) play di (dee) at sungai (SOO-ngai) river
45.11a Setiap every waktu time ada exist kesempatan opportunity baru new
45.11b Setiap (se-TEE-ap) every waktu (WAK-too) time ada (A-da) exist kesempatan (ke-sem-PA-tan) opportunity baru (BA-roo) new
45.12a Pemerintah government membutuhkan needs waktu time untuk for memutuskan decide kebijakan policy itu that
45.12b Pemerintah (pe-me-RIN-tah) government membutuhkan (mem-boo-TOOH-kan) needs waktu (WAK-too) time untuk (OON-took) for memutuskan (me-moo-TOOS-kan) decide kebijakan (ke-bi-JA-kan) policy itu (EE-too) that
45.13a Waktu when hujan rain turun falls anak-anak children berlarian run-around ke to dalam inside rumah house
45.13b Waktu (WAK-too) when hujan (HOO-jan) rain turun (TOO-roon) falls anak-anak (A-nak A-nak) children berlarian (ber-la-REE-an) run-around ke (ke) to dalam (DA-lam) inside rumah (ROO-mah) house
45.14a Dengan with berjalannya passing-of waktu time luka wound itu that sembuh healed
45.14b Dengan (DE-ngan) with berjalannya (ber-ja-LAN-nya) passing-of waktu (WAK-too) time luka (LOO-ka) wound itu (EE-too) that sembuh (SEM-booh) healed
45.15a Ibu mother mengingatkan reminded saya me bahwa that waktu time tidak not bisa can diputar turned kembali back
45.15b Ibu (EE-boo) mother mengingatkan (meng-i-NGAT-kan) reminded saya (SA-ya) me bahwa (BAH-wa) that waktu (WAK-too) time tidak (TEE-dak) not bisa (BEE-sa) can diputar (dee-POO-tar) turned kembali (kem-BA-lee) back
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45.1 Waktu sangat berharga. “Time is very precious.”
45.2 Saya tidak punya waktu. “I don’t have time.”
45.3 Waktu berjalan cepat. “Time passes quickly.”
45.4 Berapa waktu yang kita butuhkan? “How much time do we need?”
45.5 Waktu dia datang, saya sedang tidur. “When he came, I was sleeping.”
45.6 Mereka menghabiskan waktu di pantai. “They spent time at the beach.”
45.7 Pada waktu itu, kami masih muda. “At that time, we were still young.”
45.8 Waktu adalah uang. “Time is money.”
45.9 Dia selalu datang tepat waktu. “She always comes on time.”
45.10 Waktu kecil, saya sering bermain di sungai. “When I was small, I often played at the river.”
45.11 Setiap waktu ada kesempatan baru. “Every time there is a new opportunity.”
45.12 Pemerintah membutuhkan waktu untuk memutuskan kebijakan itu. “The government needs time to decide on that policy.”
45.13 Waktu hujan turun, anak-anak berlarian ke dalam rumah. “When the rain fell, the children ran into the house.”
45.14 Dengan berjalannya waktu, luka itu sembuh. “With the passing of time, that wound healed.”
45.15 Ibu mengingatkan saya bahwa waktu tidak bisa diputar kembali. “Mother reminded me that time cannot be turned back.”
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45.1 Waktu sangat berharga.
45.2 Saya tidak punya waktu.
45.3 Waktu berjalan cepat.
45.4 Berapa waktu yang kita butuhkan?
45.5 Waktu dia datang, saya sedang tidur.
45.6 Mereka menghabiskan waktu di pantai.
45.7 Pada waktu itu, kami masih muda.
45.8 Waktu adalah uang.
45.9 Dia selalu datang tepat waktu.
45.10 Waktu kecil, saya sering bermain di sungai.
45.11 Setiap waktu ada kesempatan baru.
45.12 Pemerintah membutuhkan waktu untuk memutuskan kebijakan itu.
45.13 Waktu hujan turun, anak-anak berlarian ke dalam rumah.
45.14 Dengan berjalannya waktu, luka itu sembuh.
45.15 Ibu mengingatkan saya bahwa waktu tidak bisa diputar kembali.
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These are the grammar rules for waktu in Indonesian.
Primary Function: Noun
As a noun, waktu refers to time as an abstract concept, a duration, or a specific point in time. It functions like any standard Indonesian noun: it can be modified by adjectives, quantified, and used as subject or object.
As subject: Waktu berjalan cepat. (Time passes quickly.) As object: Saya tidak punya waktu. (I don’t have time.) With quantifier: Berapa waktu yang kita butuhkan? (How much time do we need?) With adjective: Waktu yang tepat (The right time)
Secondary Function: Subordinating Conjunction
Waktu also means “when” in subordinate clauses, introducing temporal circumstances. This function is equivalent to “ketika” or “saat” but is more colloquial.
Waktu saya kecil... (When I was small...) Waktu hujan turun... (When the rain fell...) Waktu dia datang... (When he came...)
Note that in this conjunctive use, waktu introduces a complete clause and is followed directly by the subject.
Fixed Expressions with Waktu
The phrase tepat waktu means “on time” or “punctual.” Here tepat (exact/precise) precedes waktu. Pada waktu means “at the time” and introduces formal temporal reference. Waktu itu means “at that time” or “then,” referring to a previously mentioned time. Setiap waktu means “every time” or “at all times.” Dari waktu ke waktu means “from time to time.”
Distinguishing Waktu from Related Words
Jam refers specifically to clock time or hours. Use jam when asking “what time” (Jam berapa?) or stating clock time (Jam tiga = three o’clock).
Saat means “moment” or “instant” and is also used as a conjunction meaning “when,” particularly in formal contexts.
Kali means “time” as in “instance” or “occurrence.” Use it for counting: sekali (once), dua kali (twice), berkali-kali (many times).
Masa refers to a period or era, such as masa depan (future), masa lalu (past), masa kecil (childhood).
Common Mistakes
English speakers often confuse waktu with jam when asking about clock time. Remember: Jam berapa? (What time is it?) but Berapa lama waktunya? (How long is the time/duration?).
Another common error is using waktu when kali is needed. “This is my first time” requires kali: “Ini pertama kali saya...” not “Ini pertama waktu saya.”
When using waktu as a conjunction, avoid adding unnecessary particles. “Waktu saya datang” is correct; “Pada waktu ketika saya datang” is redundant.
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Time perception and expression in Indonesian culture reflects a blend of indigenous concepts, Islamic influence, and modern globalization. The word waktu itself derives from Arabic waqt (وقت), entering the language through centuries of Islamic scholarship and trade. This Arabic loan has thoroughly naturalized, displacing older Malay terms and becoming the standard word for the abstract concept of time.
Indonesian culture traditionally operates on what foreigners often call “jam karet” (rubber time)—a flexible approach to punctuality where social relationships take precedence over strict scheduling. However, formal contexts, business meetings, and official events increasingly expect tepat waktu (punctuality). Understanding when flexibility applies and when precision is expected requires cultural sensitivity.
The phrase waktu adalah uang (time is money) has entered Indonesian discourse through globalization, though it sits somewhat uneasily alongside traditional values that prioritize relationship-building over efficiency. In conversations, Indonesians may use waktu philosophically, discussing the passage of time, mortality, and the importance of the present moment.
Islamic prayer times (waktu shalat) structure daily life for many Indonesians, creating a rhythm of five daily prayers: Subuh (dawn), Zuhur (midday), Asar (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isya (night). These prayer times, announced from mosques throughout Indonesia, provide a natural temporal framework that influences scheduling and social expectations.
Regional variations exist in time expressions. In some areas, particularly in Java, indirect references to time may be preferred in polite conversation to avoid seeming demanding. The expression kapan-kapan (sometime/whenever) exemplifies this flexibility, allowing scheduling without commitment to specific times.
The dual function of waktu as both noun and conjunction reflects Indonesian’s tendency toward efficient, context-dependent word usage. English speakers may initially find this confusing, but with practice, the conjunctive use becomes natural and even elegant.
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The following excerpt comes from Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s celebrated novel “Bumi Manusia” (This Earth of Mankind, 1980), the first volume of the Buru Quartet. Pramoedya (1925-2006) is widely considered Indonesia’s greatest modern writer. This passage reflects on time and its passage.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
F.1a Waktu time terus continues berjalan walking tak not peduli care apakah whether kita we siap ready atau or tidak not
F.1b Waktu (WAK-too) time terus (te-ROOS) continues berjalan (ber-JA-lan) walking tak (tak) not peduli (pe-DOO-lee) care apakah (a-PA-kah) whether kita (KEE-ta) we siap (SEE-ap) ready atau (A-tau) or tidak (TEE-dak) not
F.2a Setiap every detik second yang REL berlalu passes membawa brings serta along sesuatu something yang REL tak not akan will kembali return
F.2b Setiap (se-TEE-ap) every detik (DE-tik) second yang (yang) REL berlalu (ber-LA-loo) passes membawa (mem-BA-wa) brings serta (SER-ta) along sesuatu (se-soo-A-too) something yang (yang) REL tak (tak) not akan (A-kan) will kembali (kem-BA-lee) return
F.3a Dan and pada at waktu time itu that aku I mengerti understood betapa how pendeknya short-it hidup life manusia human
F.3b Dan (dan) and pada (PA-da) at waktu (WAK-too) time itu (EE-too) that aku (A-koo) I mengerti (me-nger-TEE) understood betapa (be-TA-pa) how pendeknya (pen-DEK-nya) short-it hidup (HEE-doop) life manusia (ma-NOO-see-a) human
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Waktu terus berjalan, tak peduli apakah kita siap atau tidak. Setiap detik yang berlalu membawa serta sesuatu yang tak akan kembali. Dan pada waktu itu, aku mengerti betapa pendeknya hidup manusia.
“Time continues to pass, uncaring whether we are ready or not. Every second that passes carries along something that will never return. And at that time, I understood how short human life is.”
F-C: Original Indonesian Text
Waktu terus berjalan, tak peduli apakah kita siap atau tidak. Setiap detik yang berlalu membawa serta sesuatu yang tak akan kembali. Dan pada waktu itu, aku mengerti betapa pendeknya hidup manusia.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
The passage demonstrates three uses of time vocabulary: waktu appears twice—once in the opening as the subject noun and once in the phrase pada waktu itu (at that time). The word detik (second) provides temporal specificity, while berlalu (to pass) describes time’s movement.
The verb berjalan (to walk) metaphorically describes time’s passage, a common Indonesian construction. The phrase tak peduli (not caring/regardless) uses tak, a literary shortening of tidak.
The relative pronoun yang appears twice, introducing relative clauses: yang berlalu (that passes) and yang tak akan kembali (that will not return). This structure, noun + yang + verb phrase, is essential to Indonesian syntax.
Betapa introduces exclamatory or emphatic clauses, here expressing the narrator’s realization about life’s brevity. The suffix -nya on pendeknya creates emphasis, functioning similarly to “how short it is.”
F-E: Literary Commentary
Pramoedya wrote the Buru Quartet while imprisoned without trial on Buru Island for fourteen years by the Suharto regime. Denied writing materials, he composed these novels orally, telling them to fellow prisoners before eventually committing them to paper. This context of captivity and the enforced awareness of time’s passage infuses his reflections on waktu with profound personal weight.
The passage exemplifies Pramoedya’s philosophical style, using concrete temporal language to explore existential themes. His prose influenced generations of Indonesian writers and remains central to the national literary canon.
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The following section presents a coherent news report narrative featuring waktu and related time expressions. News discourse naturally emphasizes temporal specificity, making this genre ideal for practicing time vocabulary.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
45.16a Pada at waktu time yang REL sama same kemarin yesterday gempa earthquake bumi earth mengguncang shook wilayah region Sulawesi Sulawesi
45.16b Pada (PA-da) at waktu (WAK-too) time yang (yang) REL sama (SA-ma) same kemarin (ke-MA-rin) yesterday gempa (GEM-pa) earthquake bumi (BOO-mee) earth mengguncang (meng-goon-CHANG) shook wilayah (wi-LA-yah) region Sulawesi (soo-la-WE-see) Sulawesi
45.17a Tim team penyelamat rescue tiba arrived di at lokasi location dalam in waktu time kurang less dari than satu one jam hour
45.17b Tim (teem) team penyelamat (pe-nye-LA-mat) rescue tiba (TEE-ba) arrived di (dee) at lokasi (lo-KA-see) location dalam (DA-lam) in waktu (WAK-too) time kurang (KOO-rang) less dari (DA-ree) than satu (SA-too) one jam (jam) hour
45.18a Waktu time sangat very kritis critical kata said kepala head badan agency penanggulangan handling bencana disaster
45.18b Waktu (WAK-too) time sangat (SA-ngat) very kritis (KREE-tis) critical kata (KA-ta) said kepala (ke-PA-la) head badan (BA-dan) agency penanggulangan (pe-nang-goo-LA-ngan) handling bencana (ben-CHA-na) disaster
45.19a Warga residents yang REL terjebak trapped membutuhkan needed waktu time berjam-jam hours untuk to diselamatkan be-rescued
45.19b Warga (WAR-ga) residents yang (yang) REL terjebak (ter-JE-bak) trapped membutuhkan (mem-boo-TOOH-kan) needed waktu (WAK-too) time berjam-jam (ber-JAM-jam) hours untuk (OON-took) to diselamatkan (dee-se-la-MAT-kan) be-rescued
45.20a Waktu when malam night tiba arrived pencarian search dihentikan was-stopped sementara temporarily
45.20b Waktu (WAK-too) when malam (MA-lam) night tiba (TEE-ba) arrived pencarian (pen-cha-REE-an) search dihentikan (dee-hen-TEE-kan) was-stopped sementara (se-men-TA-ra) temporarily
45.21a Pemerintah government menyatakan declared bahwa that tidak not ada exist waktu time untuk to disia-siakan be-wasted
45.21b Pemerintah (pe-me-RIN-tah) government menyatakan (me-nya-TA-kan) declared bahwa (BAH-wa) that tidak (TEE-dak) not ada (A-da) exist waktu (WAK-too) time untuk (OON-took) to disia-siakan (dee-SEE-a SEE-a-kan) be-wasted
45.22a Bantuan aid internasional international diharapkan expected tiba arrive dalam in waktu time dua two puluh tens empat four jam hour
45.22b Bantuan (ban-TOO-an) aid internasional (in-ter-na-see-O-nal) international diharapkan (dee-ha-RAP-kan) expected tiba (TEE-ba) arrive dalam (DA-lam) in waktu (WAK-too) time dua (DOO-a) two puluh (POO-looh) tens empat (EM-pat) four jam (jam) hour
45.23a Waktu time pemulihan recovery diperkirakan estimated memakan takes waktu time berbulan-bulan months
45.23b Waktu (WAK-too) time pemulihan (pe-moo-LEE-han) recovery diperkirakan (dee-per-kee-RA-kan) estimated memakan (me-MA-kan) takes waktu (WAK-too) time berbulan-bulan (ber-BOO-lan BOO-lan) months
45.24a Para PL relawan volunteers bekerja work tanpa without mengenal knowing waktu time
45.24b Para (PA-ra) PL relawan (re-la-WAN) volunteers bekerja (be-KER-ja) work tanpa (TAN-pa) without mengenal (me-NGE-nal) knowing waktu (WAK-too) time
45.25a Dari from waktu time ke to waktu time jumlah number korban victims terus continues bertambah increase
45.25b Dari (DA-ree) from waktu (WAK-too) time ke (ke) to waktu (WAK-too) time jumlah (JOOM-lah) number korban (KOR-ban) victims terus (te-ROOS) continues bertambah (ber-TAM-bah) increase
45.26a Presiden president mengunjungi visited lokasi location bencana disaster pada at waktu time yang REL tepat exact
45.26b Presiden (pre-see-DEN) president mengunjungi (meng-oon-JOON-gee) visited lokasi (lo-KA-see) location bencana (ben-CHA-na) disaster pada (PA-da) at waktu (WAK-too) time yang (yang) REL tepat (TE-pat) exact
45.27a Waktu when helikopter helicopter mendarat landed warga residents bersorak cheered
45.27b Waktu (WAK-too) when helikopter (he-lee-KOP-ter) helicopter mendarat (men-DA-rat) landed warga (WAR-ga) residents bersorak (ber-SO-rak) cheered
45.28a Seiring along-with waktu time harapan hope untuk to menemukan find korban victims selamat safe semakin increasingly kecil small
45.28b Seiring (se-EE-ring) along-with waktu (WAK-too) time harapan (ha-RA-pan) hope untuk (OON-took) to menemukan (me-ne-MOO-kan) find korban (KOR-ban) victims selamat (se-LA-mat) safe semakin (se-MA-kin) increasingly kecil (ke-CHEEL) small
45.29a Masyarakat community diminta asked untuk to bersabar be-patient karena because proses process evakuasi evacuation memerlukan requires waktu time
45.29b Masyarakat (ma-sha-ra-KAT) community diminta (dee-MIN-ta) asked untuk (OON-took) to bersabar (ber-SA-bar) be-patient karena (ka-RE-na) because proses (PRO-ses) process evakuasi (e-va-koo-A-see) evacuation memerlukan (me-mer-LOO-kan) requires waktu (WAK-too) time
45.30a Waktu time telah has membuktikan proven ketangguhan resilience bangsa nation Indonesia Indonesia dalam in menghadapi facing bencana disaster
45.30b Waktu (WAK-too) time telah (te-LAH) has membuktikan (mem-book-TEE-kan) proven ketangguhan (ke-tang-GOO-han) resilience bangsa (BANG-sa) nation Indonesia (in-do-NE-see-a) Indonesia dalam (DA-lam) in menghadapi (meng-ha-DA-pee) facing bencana (ben-CHA-na) disaster
Part B: Natural Sentences
45.16 Pada waktu yang sama kemarin, gempa bumi mengguncang wilayah Sulawesi. “At the same time yesterday, an earthquake shook the Sulawesi region.”
45.17 Tim penyelamat tiba di lokasi dalam waktu kurang dari satu jam. “The rescue team arrived at the location in less than one hour.”
45.18 “Waktu sangat kritis,” kata kepala badan penanggulangan bencana. “’Time is very critical,’ said the head of the disaster management agency.”
45.19 Warga yang terjebak membutuhkan waktu berjam-jam untuk diselamatkan. “Residents who were trapped needed hours to be rescued.”
45.20 Waktu malam tiba, pencarian dihentikan sementara. “When night arrived, the search was temporarily halted.”
45.21 Pemerintah menyatakan bahwa tidak ada waktu untuk disia-siakan. “The government declared that there was no time to be wasted.”
45.22 Bantuan internasional diharapkan tiba dalam waktu dua puluh empat jam. “International aid is expected to arrive within twenty-four hours.”
45.23 Waktu pemulihan diperkirakan memakan waktu berbulan-bulan. “Recovery time is estimated to take months.”
45.24 Para relawan bekerja tanpa mengenal waktu. “The volunteers work without regard for time.”
45.25 Dari waktu ke waktu, jumlah korban terus bertambah. “From time to time, the number of victims continues to increase.”
45.26 Presiden mengunjungi lokasi bencana pada waktu yang tepat. “The president visited the disaster location at the right time.”
45.27 Waktu helikopter mendarat, warga bersorak. “When the helicopter landed, the residents cheered.”
45.28 Seiring waktu, harapan untuk menemukan korban selamat semakin kecil. “As time passes, hope of finding survivors grows smaller.”
45.29 Masyarakat diminta untuk bersabar karena proses evakuasi memerlukan waktu. “The community is asked to be patient because the evacuation process requires time.”
45.30 Waktu telah membuktikan ketangguhan bangsa Indonesia dalam menghadapi bencana. “Time has proven the resilience of the Indonesian nation in facing disasters.”
Part C: Indonesian Text Only
45.16 Pada waktu yang sama kemarin, gempa bumi mengguncang wilayah Sulawesi.
45.17 Tim penyelamat tiba di lokasi dalam waktu kurang dari satu jam.
45.18 “Waktu sangat kritis,” kata kepala badan penanggulangan bencana.
45.19 Warga yang terjebak membutuhkan waktu berjam-jam untuk diselamatkan.
45.20 Waktu malam tiba, pencarian dihentikan sementara.
45.21 Pemerintah menyatakan bahwa tidak ada waktu untuk disia-siakan.
45.22 Bantuan internasional diharapkan tiba dalam waktu dua puluh empat jam.
45.23 Waktu pemulihan diperkirakan memakan waktu berbulan-bulan.
45.24 Para relawan bekerja tanpa mengenal waktu.
45.25 Dari waktu ke waktu, jumlah korban terus bertambah.
45.26 Presiden mengunjungi lokasi bencana pada waktu yang tepat.
45.27 Waktu helikopter mendarat, warga bersorak.
45.28 Seiring waktu, harapan untuk menemukan korban selamat semakin kecil.
45.29 Masyarakat diminta untuk bersabar karena proses evakuasi memerlukan waktu.
45.30 Waktu telah membuktikan ketangguhan bangsa Indonesia dalam menghadapi bencana.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
The news report demonstrates several advanced time expressions building on waktu.
Dalam waktu (within time) specifies duration or deadline: dalam waktu kurang dari satu jam (in less than one hour), dalam waktu dua puluh empat jam (within twenty-four hours).
Dari waktu ke waktu is an idiomatic expression meaning “from time to time,” indicating recurring or progressive action.
Seiring waktu (along with time / as time passes) introduces a temporal clause showing simultaneous development.
Tanpa mengenal waktu (without knowing time) is an idiomatic expression meaning “regardless of time” or “tirelessly.”
Memakan waktu (to eat time) is a common expression meaning “to take time” or “to be time-consuming.”
Waktu yang tepat (the right/exact time) uses yang to create a modified noun phrase.
The reduplication berjam-jam (hours and hours) and berbulan-bulan (months and months) emphasizes extended duration. This ber- + reduplication pattern is productive for time words: bertahun-tahun (years), berhari-hari (days).
The passive voice appears frequently in news Indonesian: diharapkan (is expected), diperkirakan (is estimated), diminta (is asked), dihentikan (was stopped). This maintains formal register appropriate to news discourse.
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series for Indonesian, following a systematic approach to language acquisition based on high-frequency vocabulary. The curriculum draws from a carefully sequenced 1000-word frequency list, ensuring that learners encounter the most useful vocabulary in an optimal order for building practical competence.
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, specializing in methodologies that enable autodidact learners to achieve genuine proficiency through self-directed study. Our approach emphasizes immediate comprehension through interlinear glossing, allowing learners to understand target language text from the very beginning rather than waiting until grammar rules have been memorized.
The construed text format—presenting each word with its grammatical function and meaning—accelerates comprehension by eliminating the frustrating gap between encountering new material and understanding it. This method, refined over centuries of classical language pedagogy and adapted for modern language instruction, provides a bridge that traditional textbooks often lack.
Indonesian presents English speakers with a language of remarkable regularity and accessibility. Its phonetic spelling, lack of grammatical gender, and straightforward word order make it one of the most approachable languages for anglophone learners. The primary challenges lie in vocabulary acquisition and mastering the affix system that creates much of the language’s expressive flexibility.
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Lesson 45 Indonesian Complete
@ⁿᵉˣᵃˡ.ᶜᵒᵈᵉ: indonesian-lesson-45-waktu-time-latinum-institute
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