Possession
Possessive pronouns, -nya suffix, and punya (to own/have)
Can express possession using pronouns after nouns, the -nya suffix, and punya
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Ini tas saya.
This is my bag.
Namanya Budi.
His/Her name is Budi.
Siapa punya ini?
Whose is this?
Saya punya dua anak.
I have two children.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Indonesian shows possession in three ways:
1. Pronoun after noun: buku saya (my book), rumah kamu (your house). Order: NOUN + OWNER (opposite of English).
2. The -nya suffix: bukunya (his/her book / the book). Also functions as a definite article.
3. Punya (to own/have): Saya punya mobil (I have a car). Ini punya saya (This is mine).
Common Error Patterns
Put the possessive pronoun before the noun instead of after
Indonesian: noun + possessor. 'buku saya' (book my), NOT 'saya buku'.
Incorrect use of the -nya suffix
-nya = his/her/its/the. Attach directly to the noun: bukunya (his book), namanya (his/her name).
Ini tas saya.
This is my bag.
Possessive order: noun + pronoun. 'tas saya' = bag my = my bag.
Namanya Budi.
His/Her name is Budi.
'-nya' suffix attached to 'nama' = his/her name. Also works as 'the name'.
Siapa punya ini?
Whose is this?
'Punya' = to own/belong. 'Siapa punya ini?' = Who owns this? / Whose is this?
Saya punya dua anak.
I have two children.
'Punya' here means 'to have'. 'Dua anak' = two children. No verb conjugation!
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises