Last updated on January 20, 2024
There are four particles in Indonesian language:
-lah
‘-lah’ is a particle that is always attached to the preceding word. It doesn’t have an easily describable meaning. Basically, it adds polite emphasis.
- Percayalah padaku. Just trust me.
pun
Particle ‘pun’ can act as a focusing adjunct. It identifies the most important thing involved in what being said. In this case ‘pun’ means ‘juga, pula'(too, also, as well). It’s written separately.
- Setelah rapat berakhir, Nina pun pulang ke rumah.
- After the meeting ended, Nina then went home.
As a conjunction it’s written as one word.
- Baik mahasiswa maupun mahasiswi ikut berdemonstrasi.
- Both the male students and the female students participate in the protest.
-kah
Partikel ‘kah’ is written as one word with the word that is followed. A sentence can be overtly marked as a question by use of ‘-kah’.
- Apakah dia sakit?
- Is he sick?
-Per
Particle per means resume, each, every. Its synonyms are: mulai, tiap, demi. It’s written separately with the word it follows.
- Harga kain itu Rp 2.000.000 per(tiap) meter.
- The price of that cloth is 2,000,000 rupiahs per metre.
For a more comprehensive explanation on Indonesian particles and how to use them please click here.
*) Reference:
Indonesian Reference Grammar, by James Neil Sneddon, 1996
Pusat Bahasa Departemen Pendidikan Nasional, 2000