VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Voice of Indonesia presents Let’s Speak Indonesian, a program that introduces the Indonesian vocabulary and guides you to speak in the language. Mari Berbahasa Indonesia or Let’s Speak Indonesian is a joint initiative of Voice of Indonesia and the Language Development Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.  Today’s topic is about Kesehatan which means Health.

Here is the conversation entitled Ini Maskernya which means Here is the Mask. This dialog is between Kevin and a pharmacist in a pharmacy. Kevin wants to buy three-layered mask, then the pharmacist gives it to him. Let’s read to the conversation.

No I am going to introduce some vocabulary and expressions related to the topic of the day.

In the dialog, you listen to the pharmacist saying Ini maskernya (2x) which means Here is the mask. In the expression, there is the word maskernya (2x) which means the mask. The word maskernyaconsists of the word masker and the suffix -nya. The suffix -nyais a definite article. It refers to the mask that Kevin wants to buy. In a long sentence, the pharmacist may say Ini masker yang Anda inginkan (2x) which means Here is the mask that you want. To replace the long sentence, the pharmacist says Ini maskernya (2x) which means Here is the mask.

Let’s read to the other examples how to use the suffix -nyaas a definite article.

Kevin                   : Ada obat batuk? (2x) which means Any cough medicine?

Apoteker    : Oh, ada. Ini obatnya (2x) which means Oh yes. Here it is.

Kevin                   : Berapa harganya? (2x) which means How much is it?

Apoteker    : Dua puluh ribu rupiah (2x) which means Twenty thousand rupiah

To remind you again, another function of the suffix -nyais as a possessive pronounfor the singular object pronoun. For example, in the word rumahnya which means his house andnamanyawhich meanshis name. The different function can be identified in the dialog context.

That was “Let’s Speak Indonesian” for today. Hopefully, this edition can be useful for those of you who want to know more about Indonesian language.