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Study in the app →Indonesian · BIPA 1 (A1) · Chapter 20
Makanan Food
Food and taste. Food: daging, ikan, sayur, telur, buah, roti. The key point: the ADJECTIVE goes AFTER the noun — "ikan enak" (delicious fish), not "enak ikan". And you use no "adalah" before an adjective: "Saya lapar" (I'm hungry), "Makanan ini pedas" (this food is spicy). English speakers often put the adjective first ("enak ikan" ✗ → "ikan enak" ✓). New words: daging, ikan, sayur, telur, buah, roti, enak, pedas, lapar, kenyang. Culture corner: The warung, nasi & eating with the right hand.
Dialogue
enak ikan? ikan enak?
- Budi Mike, makanan ini bagaimana? Mike, how is this food?
- Mike Enak ikan! Delicious fish! (slip: the adjective goes after the noun — say "ikan enak")
- Budi Kata sifat di belakang — "ikan enak". Benda dulu, sifat kemudian. The adjective goes after — "ikan enak". Noun first, adjective second.
- Mike Oh, ikan enak! Sayur juga enak. Saya lapar sekali! Oh, the fish is delicious! The veg too. I'm very hungry!
Dialogue
Enak sekali! — So delicious!
- Sari Budi, kamu lapar? Budi, are you hungry?
- Budi Ya, saya lapar. Kita makan apa? Yes, I am. What shall we eat?
- Sari Warung ini punya nasi goreng dan mie ayam. Keduanya enak. This warung has fried rice and chicken noodles. Both are delicious.
- Budi Saya makan nasi goreng. Ikan di sini enak sekali. I'll have fried rice. The fish here is very delicious.
Vocabulary
| 汉字 | Pinyin | POS | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| daging | n. | meat | |
| ikan | n. | fish | |
| sayur | n. | vegetable | |
| telur | n. | egg | |
| buah | n. | fruit | |
| roti | n. | bread | |
| enak | adj. | delicious (after the noun) | |
| pedas | adj. | spicy | |
| lapar | adj. | hungry | |
| kenyang | adj. | full (not hungry) |
Grammar
Kata sifat setelah kata benda (tanpa "adalah") Adjective after the noun (no "adalah")
Dalam bahasa Indonesia, KATA SIFAT datang SETELAH kata benda yang diterangkan: "ikan enak" (delicious fish), "makanan pedas", "warung baru". Penutur Inggris sering menaruh kata sifat di depan seperti "delicious fish" → "enak ikan" ✗ → "ikan enak" ✓. Ketika kata sifat menjadi predikat, TIDAK perlu "adalah": "Ikan ini enak" (This fish is delicious), "Saya lapar" (I'm hungry), "Saya kenyang" — bukan "Saya adalah lapar". Tambahkan "sangat / sekali" (very): "enak sekali". Tanya perasaan: "Kamu lapar?" — "Ya, saya lapar" / "Tidak, saya kenyang".
In Indonesian, the ADJECTIVE comes AFTER the noun it describes: "ikan enak" (delicious fish), "makanan pedas" (spicy food), "warung baru" (new warung). English speakers often put the adjective first like "delicious fish" → "enak ikan" ✗ → "ikan enak" ✓. When the adjective is the predicate, you need NO "adalah": "Ikan ini enak" (This fish is delicious), "Saya lapar" (I'm hungry), "Saya kenyang" (I'm full) — not "Saya adalah lapar". Add "sangat / sekali" (very): "enak sekali". Ask about feeling: "Kamu lapar?" — "Ya, saya lapar" / "Tidak, saya kenyang".
- Makanan ini enak sekali. This food is very delicious.
- Saya lapar. Saya makan nasi. I'm hungry. I eat rice.
- Ikan ini enak, sayur juga enak. This fish is delicious, the vegetables too.
- Makanannya pedas? — Sedikit pedas. Is the food spicy? — A little spicy.
Culture
Warung, nasi & makan dengan tangan kanan The warung, nasi & eating with the right hand
Eating is at the centre of Indonesian social life. From roadside warungs to the family table, rice is always there, and there are a few habits that can surprise newcomers — above all eating with the right hand.
The warung
A warung is a small stall — it can be a cart, a tent, or a tiny shop — selling cheap, fresh food. At a "warteg" (Tegal warung) you choose rice and then point at the side dishes you want: chicken, fish, egg, vegetables, tempeh. You pay for what you took. Warungs open from morning to night and are where neighbours gather. Don't be shy to point and ask "Ini apa?" (what is this?) — the owner is happy to explain.
Nasi = a meal
For many Indonesians, "makan" (to eat) means "to eat rice". If you have not eaten rice, it can feel like you haven't really eaten! A plate of food is usually white rice with a few side dishes on top. A common greeting is "Sudah makan?" (Have you eaten?) — this is not an invitation to eat, but a polite way to greet, like "Apa kabar?" (How are you?). Just answer "Sudah" (yes) or "Belum" (not yet) with a smile.
The right hand
Many Indonesians eat with their HAND — and always the RIGHT hand. The left hand is considered impolite for touching food, giving, or receiving something. Before eating, wash your hands; then use the fingers of your right hand to mix the rice with the side dishes and bring it to your mouth. In many places a spoon and fork are also available — hold the spoon in your right hand. When giving or receiving money or an item, use your right hand (or both hands) — this is an important sign of respect.
In short: find a warung, eat rice with side dishes, and use your right hand. In Indonesia, eating together is a way to show warmth and respect. Enjoy your meal — selamat makan!
pronunciation
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