Learning Indonesian can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to understanding nuanced differences in word usage. One common area of confusion for language learners is distinguishing between the words besar and besarnya. While both words are related to the concept of “big” or “large,” their usage in sentences can convey different meanings. This article aims to clarify the differences between besar and besarnya to help you use them accurately in your Indonesian conversations.

Besar

Besar is the Indonesian word for “big” or “large.” It is an adjective used to describe the size of a noun. Like in English, adjectives in Indonesian are usually placed after the noun they describe.

Besar:
Big, large.

Rumah itu besar.
That house is big.

In this example, besar is used to describe the size of the house. It is a straightforward adjective and directly modifies the noun.

Besarnya

Besarnya is a derivative of besar that adds the possessive suffix “-nya.” This suffix can imply possession, definiteness, or a specific characteristic. When added to besar, it can mean “its big,” “the size,” or “how big.” The context of the sentence often determines the exact meaning.

Besarnya:
Its big, the size, how big.

Saya terkejut dengan besarnya ikan itu.
I was surprised by the size of that fish.

In this example, besarnya refers to the specific size of the fish, emphasizing the astonishment of the speaker.

Possessive Meaning

When besarnya is used in a possessive sense, it often denotes that the bigness or size belongs to something or someone.

Gedung itu besarnya luar biasa.
The building’s size is extraordinary.

Here, besarnya indicates that the extraordinary size is a characteristic of the building.

Definiteness and Specificity

The suffix “-nya” can also make the adjective more specific or definite, indicating that the speaker is referring to a particular size known to both the speaker and the listener.

Kami terkejut melihat besarnya pesta itu.
We were surprised to see how big the party was.

In this context, besarnya makes it clear that the speaker is referring to the specific size of the party, which is surprisingly large.

Contextual Examples

To further illustrate the differences between besar and besarnya, let’s look at more contextual examples.

Besar:
Big, large.

Hewan itu sangat besar.
That animal is very big.

Besarnya:
Its big, the size, how big.

Tidak ada yang menyangka besarnya hewan itu.
No one expected how big that animal was.

In the first sentence, besar is used as a simple adjective to describe the animal. In the second sentence, besarnya emphasizes the unexpected size of the animal.

Besar:
Big, large.

Mobil itu terlalu besar untuk garasi.
That car is too big for the garage.

Besarnya:
Its big, the size, how big.

Kami kagum dengan besarnya mobil itu.
We were amazed by the size of that car.

In the first example, besar is used to describe the car as too large for the garage. In the second example, besarnya highlights the specific size of the car that amazes the speaker.

Additional Vocabulary

To further enhance your understanding, let’s introduce some additional Indonesian vocabulary related to size and measurement. These words will help you describe and discuss dimensions more effectively.

Tinggi:
Tall, high.

Gedung itu sangat tinggi.
That building is very tall.

Panjang:
Long.

Tali itu sangat panjang.
That rope is very long.

Lebar:
Wide.

Jalan ini cukup lebar untuk dua mobil.
This road is wide enough for two cars.

Kecil:
Small, little.

Anjing itu sangat kecil.
That dog is very small.

Ukuran:
Size, measurement.

Apakah ukuran sepatu Anda?
What is your shoe size?

Berat:
Weight, heavy.

Barang ini sangat berat.
This item is very heavy.

Kapasitas:
Capacity.

Kapasitas gedung ini adalah 500 orang.
The capacity of this building is 500 people.

Volume:
Volume.

Volume air dalam tangki ini sangat besar.
The volume of water in this tank is very large.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try completing these practice exercises. Use either besar or besarnya to fill in the blanks appropriately.

1. Rumah ini sangat ________.
2. Mereka terkejut dengan ________ gedung itu.
3. Buku itu terlalu ________ untuk tas saya.
4. Kami tidak menyangka ________ pesta itu.
5. Mobil ini terlalu ________ untuk garasi kecil.

Answers:
1. besar
2. besarnya
3. besar
4. besarnya
5. besar

These exercises should help you get a feel for when to use each word correctly.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between besar and besarnya is crucial for accurately describing size and expressing specific characteristics in Indonesian. While besar serves as a straightforward adjective meaning “big” or “large,” besarnya adds a layer of specificity, possession, or emphasis, often translated as “its big,” “the size,” or “how big.”

By practicing with contextual examples and additional vocabulary, you can enhance your ability to describe dimensions and characteristics more precisely in Indonesian. Remember that language learning is a gradual process, and the more you practice, the more confident you will become in using these terms correctly.

Happy learning!