A1 Expression خنثی 1 دقیقه مطالعه

Apa itu?

What is that?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential way to identify objects located away from you in Indonesian.

Means: 'What is that?' (pointing to something distant).
Used in: Markets, classrooms, or when seeing something new.
Don't confuse: 'Apa ini?' which is for things close to you.

❓ + 👉 (far) = Apa itu?

توضیح در سطح شما:

This is a very basic phrase. 'Apa' means 'what' and 'itu' means 'that'. You use it to ask about things you see. You don't need to change the words for one thing or many things. It is very easy to say and very useful for travelers.

At this level, you should distinguish between 'Apa itu?' (far) and 'Apa ini?' (near). You can also start adding nouns to be more specific, like 'Apa itu bunga?' (Is that a flower?). It's a key tool for expanding your vocabulary by asking locals for names of objects.

Intermediate learners use 'Apa itu?' to clarify abstract concepts. You might ask 'Apa itu sistem kasta?' or use it to confirm understanding. You should also recognize the informal version 'Apaan itu?' used in casual conversations and media, and understand that word order can be flexible.

Upper-intermediate students analyze the pragmatic functions of 'Apa itu?'. It can be used rhetorically to express disbelief or to introduce a definition in a presentation. You should be comfortable using it with various particles like 'sih', 'kan', or 'ya' to change the emotional tone of the question.

At an advanced level, 'Apa itu?' is examined within the framework of Indonesian's zero-copula syntax. One explores how the phrase functions as a complete predicate and its role in topicalization. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic shifts when choosing between 'Apa itu' and its more formal or dialectal counterparts in literature.

Mastery involves understanding the deep etymological roots of 'Apa' and 'Itu' in the Proto-Austronesian language. A C2 learner appreciates the phrase's role in the 'Basantara' (lingua franca) evolution and can manipulate the phrase for sophisticated stylistic effects in creative writing, utilizing its simplicity to create punchy, evocative prose or dialogue.

معنی

Asking to identify an object far from the speaker

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

Avoid pointing with your index finger. Use your thumb to point while asking 'Apa itu?'. When asking about offerings (Canang Sari) on the ground, be respectful and don't step over them. The slang 'Apaan tuh?' became a national catchphrase thanks to the comedian Jaja Mihardja. Asking 'Apa itu?' is a great way to start a conversation. Indonesians value 'ramah tamah' (friendliness).

💡

The 'Ya' Softener

Add 'ya' at the end ('Apa itu ya?') to sound more polite and less like you are demanding an answer.

⚠️

People are not 'Apa'

Always use 'Siapa' for people. Using 'Apa' can be seen as very dehumanizing.

💡

The 'Ya' Softener

Add 'ya' at the end ('Apa itu ya?') to sound more polite and less like you are demanding an answer.

⚠️

People are not 'Apa'

Always use 'Siapa' for people. Using 'Apa' can be seen as very dehumanizing.

🎯

Word Order

If you forget 'Apa itu', 'Itu apa' is 100% correct and understood.

💬

The Thumb Point

In Java, point with your thumb to be extra polite when asking this question.

خودت رو بسنج

You see a strange bird in a tree far away. How do you ask your friend what it is?

...

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Apa itu?

Since the bird is far away, you use 'itu'. Since it's an animal/object, you use 'Apa'.

Complete the dialogue at the market.

Buyer: Permisi, ___ itu? Seller: Itu buah naga, Pak.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: apa

The buyer is asking 'What' is that fruit.

Match the phrase to the correct situation.

1. Apa ini? 2. Apa itu? 3. Siapa itu?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A

'Ini' for near, 'itu' for far, 'siapa' for people.

Choose the most natural slang response for a friend.

A: (Points to a weird car) B: Wah, ___?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Apaan tuh

'Apaan tuh' is the most common casual/slang version of 'Apa itu?'.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Near vs Far

Near (Ini)

Apa ini? What is this? (In hand)

Far (Itu)

Apa itu? What is that? (On table)

بانک تمرین

5 تمرین‌ها

جواب درست رو انتخاب کن Fill Blank

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

You see a strange bird in a tree far away. How do you ask your friend what it is? Choose A1

...

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Apa itu?

Since the bird is far away, you use 'itu'. Since it's an animal/object, you use 'Apa'.

Complete the dialogue at the market. Fill Blank A1

Buyer: Permisi, ___ itu? Seller: Itu buah naga, Pak.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: apa

The buyer is asking 'What' is that fruit.

Match the phrase to the correct situation. situation_matching A2

1. Apa ini? 2. Apa itu? 3. Siapa itu?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A

'Ini' for near, 'itu' for far, 'siapa' for people.

Choose the most natural slang response for a friend. dialogue_completion B1

A: (Points to a weird car) B: Wah, ___?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Apaan tuh

'Apaan tuh' is the most common casual/slang version of 'Apa itu?'.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No. 'Apa adalah itu' is grammatically incorrect in spoken Indonesian. Just say 'Apa itu?'.

'Apa itu' is for speaking. 'Apakah itu' is for formal writing.

Yes! It means both 'What is that?' and 'What are those?'.

You can say 'Apa namanya itu?' (What is its name?).

The most common slang is 'Apaan tuh?'.

Yes, 'Apa itu?' is perfect for identifying a mysterious noise.

Not at all, as long as you aren't pointing at a person.

You still use 'itu'. Indonesian doesn't have a separate word for 'over there' like Japanese 'are'.

Put the category first: '[Category] apa itu?'. Example: 'Kucing apa itu?' (What kind of cat is that?).

Yes! 'Bau apa itu?' (What smell is that?).

عبارات مرتبط

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