Bedeutung
The act of composing a written message
Kultureller Hintergrund
Handwritten letters are still highly valued for their 'ketulusan' (sincerity). In a digital world, receiving a physical letter is a sign of deep respect. In Javanese culture, the level of language used in a letter (Kromo vs Ngoko) reflects the social hierarchy between the writer and the recipient. Official letters must have a 'Kop Surat' (letterhead) and a 'Stempel' (stamp) to be considered valid. Without these, a 'surat resmi' is just a piece of paper. The term 'Surat Terbuka' is often used on Instagram or X (Twitter) to publicly call out companies or individuals, showing the letter's evolution into a social tool.
Drop the 'Me-'
When speaking with friends, just say 'tulis surat'. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Watch the 'T'
Remember that in formal writing, 'tulis' becomes 'menulis'. Don't write 'metulis'—the 'T' must disappear!
Bedeutung
The act of composing a written message
Drop the 'Me-'
When speaking with friends, just say 'tulis surat'. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Watch the 'T'
Remember that in formal writing, 'tulis' becomes 'menulis'. Don't write 'metulis'—the 'T' must disappear!
Use 'Bikin'
If you want to sound like a local in Jakarta, use 'bikin surat' for everyday tasks like writing a sick note.
Address properly
Always start a formal letter with 'Yth.' (Yang Terhormat) followed by the person's title.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'letter'.
Saya mau tulis _______ untuk teman saya.
'Surat' means letter. 'Buku' is book, 'meja' is table, and 'jalan' is road.
Which sentence is the most formal?
Choose the formal version of 'I write a letter'.
The prefix 'me-' and the pronoun 'Saya' make the sentence formal.
Match the Indonesian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common types of 'surat' in Indonesia.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kamu sedang apa? B: Aku sedang _______ surat untuk nenek.
You 'write' (menulis) a letter, you don't eat (makan) or sleep (tidur) it.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSaya mau tulis _______ untuk teman saya.
'Surat' means letter. 'Buku' is book, 'meja' is table, and 'jalan' is road.
Choose the formal version of 'I write a letter'.
The prefix 'me-' and the pronoun 'Saya' make the sentence formal.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are common types of 'surat' in Indonesia.
A: Kamu sedang apa? B: Aku sedang _______ surat untuk nenek.
You 'write' (menulis) a letter, you don't eat (makan) or sleep (tidur) it.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but 'tulis email' or 'kirim email' is more common. However, 'tulis surat elektronik' is the formal term for email.
'Tulis' is the root word used in informal speech. 'Menulis' is the formal active verb form.
Originally yes, but now it refers to any formal document, digital or physical.
It is 'surat cinta'.
It literally means 'news letter', but it is the standard word for 'newspaper'.
Yes, it is a neutral and polite phrase. The politeness depends more on the pronouns you use (Saya vs Aku).
It's better to say 'Saya tulis surat untuk kamu' or 'kepada kamu'.
It's an anonymous letter, often used to spread rumors or threats.
Use 'Hormat saya' (Sincerely) followed by your signature.
It's a very informal, slangy version of 'menulis surat', common in some dialects.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kirim surat
similarTo send a letter
Balas surat
builds onTo reply to a letter
Surat kabar
specialized formNewspaper
Tanda tangan
similarSignature
Bikin surat
synonymTo make/write a letter
