Learning a new language can be a fascinating journey, especially when it comes to understanding how different languages express time. In Indonesian, just like in English, there are specific terms for referring to the past, present, and future. Today, we’ll delve into two essential temporal terms: kemarin (yesterday) and hari ini (today). By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to use these terms, along with some related vocabulary to enrich your Indonesian language skills.

Kemarin

The word kemarin is used in Indonesian to refer to “yesterday.” It is a straightforward term that helps you talk about events that happened one day before the current day.

kemarin – yesterday
Saya pergi ke pasar kemarin.

To understand how to use kemarin effectively, let’s break down some related vocabulary and phrases.

Related Vocabulary

pergi – to go
Saya pergi ke sekolah kemarin.
Explanation: This word means “to go.” It is an essential verb when talking about past activities.

pasar – market
Dia membeli buah di pasar kemarin.
Explanation: This word means “market.” It’s a common place people visit, making it a useful word for discussing past events.

membeli – to buy
Kami membeli sayur-sayuran kemarin.
Explanation: This verb means “to buy.” It is often used when talking about shopping or acquiring items.

sekolah – school
Anak-anak sekolah kemarin.
Explanation: This word means “school.” It’s essential for discussing activities related to education.

kemarin malam – last night
Kami menonton film kemarin malam.
Explanation: This phrase means “last night.” It helps specify that an event occurred during the previous night.

kemarin pagi – yesterday morning
Saya berolahraga kemarin pagi.
Explanation: This phrase means “yesterday morning.” It’s useful for talking about what you did early in the previous day.

kemarin sore – yesterday afternoon
Mereka pergi ke taman kemarin sore.
Explanation: This phrase means “yesterday afternoon.” It helps to specify the time of day for past events.

Hari Ini

Now, let’s move on to hari ini, which means “today.” This term is used to talk about events happening on the current day.

hari ini – today
Saya akan bertemu teman hari ini.

Understanding hari ini involves knowing some related vocabulary that can help you express your daily activities.

Related Vocabulary

akan – will
Saya akan pergi ke kantor hari ini.
Explanation: This word means “will” and is used to indicate future intentions or actions.

teman – friend
Kami bertemu teman baru hari ini.
Explanation: This word means “friend.” It is essential for discussing social interactions.

kantor – office
Dia bekerja di kantor hari ini.
Explanation: This word means “office.” It’s useful for talking about work-related activities.

sekarang – now
Saya sedang makan sekarang.
Explanation: This word means “now.” It helps to emphasize that something is happening at the present moment.

pagi ini – this morning
Saya sarapan pagi ini.
Explanation: This phrase means “this morning.” It’s useful for talking about what you did earlier in the day.

siang ini – this afternoon
Kami akan makan siang bersama siang ini.
Explanation: This phrase means “this afternoon.” It helps to specify the time of day for current events.

malam ini – tonight
Mereka akan menonton pertunjukan malam ini.
Explanation: This phrase means “tonight.” It helps to specify that an event is happening during the upcoming night.

Comparing Kemarin and Hari Ini

Understanding the difference between kemarin and hari ini is crucial for effectively communicating past and present events. Here are some comparative examples to illustrate their usage:

kemarin – yesterday
Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia kemarin.

hari ini – today
Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia hari ini.

In the sentences above, the verb “belajar” (to study) remains the same, but the temporal context changes from yesterday to today.

Activities and Time References

Let’s explore more examples to see how different activities can be referred to in the past and present using kemarin and hari ini:

kemarin – yesterday
Dia membaca buku kemarin.

hari ini – today
Dia membaca buku hari ini.

kemarin – yesterday
Kami makan malam di restoran kemarin.

hari ini – today
Kami makan malam di rumah hari ini.

Notice how the change in the temporal term alters the context and understanding of the sentences.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of kemarin and hari ini, try these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate term:

1. Saya pergi ke gym _____.
2. Mereka akan bertemu guru mereka _____.
3. _____, kami menonton film di bioskop.
4. _____ pagi, saya berlari di taman.
5. Dia makan siang dengan temannya _____.

Answers:
1. kemarin
2. hari ini
3. Kemarin
4. Hari ini
5. kemarin

Conclusion

Mastering the use of kemarin and hari ini is essential for anyone learning Indonesian. These terms help you accurately describe when events occur, whether in the past or present. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these words in your daily conversations and writing. By doing so, you’ll become more confident in your ability to communicate effectively in Indonesian.

As you continue your language learning journey, don’t forget to explore other temporal terms and expressions. Understanding how to talk about time is a fundamental skill that will enhance your overall fluency and comprehension. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)