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Study in the app →Indonesian · BIPA 1 (A1) · Chapter 42
Bisa dan boleh Can (able) and may (allowed)
We talk about technology and ability ("bisa" and "boleh"). Vocabulary: ponsel pintar, komputer, aplikasi, internet, kata sandi, akun, pesan, media sosial, memakai, mengunduh, praktis, mengemudi. Key grammar: Indonesian uses two words BEFORE the verb. "bisa + verb" = able / have the ability: "Saya bisa berenang" (I can swim), "Dia bisa mengemudi" (he can drive). "boleh + verb" = allowed / may: "Boleh saya masuk?" (May I come in?), "Kamu boleh memakai aplikasi ini" (you may use this app). Negatives: "tidak bisa" (unable), "tidak boleh" (not allowed). Note: English uses one word "can" for ability and permission, so English speakers often use "bisa" to ask permission: "Bisa saya pinjam...?" △ → to ask permission politely, use "Boleh saya pinjam...?" ✓. Culture corner (§6): technology in Indonesia. Pronunciation corner: "bisa" (BI-sa) and "boleh" (BO-leh).
Dialogue
Boleh aku pinjam? — May I borrow it?
- Budi Mike, kamu mau memakai komputerku? Mike, do you want to use my computer?
- Mike Ya, terima kasih! Bisa aku pinjam sebentar? Yes, thanks! Can I borrow it for a moment? (slip: to ask permission use "boleh", not "bisa" (= able): Boleh aku pinjam?)
- Budi Ah, untuk meminta izin, pakai "boleh", bukan "bisa". Katakan "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?". Ah, to ask permission, use "boleh", not "bisa". Say "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?".
- Mike Ah, aku paham. "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?" Ah, I get it. "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?" (May I borrow it for a moment?)
- Budi Tentu, boleh! Kamu juga bisa memakai aplikasi ini. Sangat praktis. Of course, you may! You can also use this app. Very practical.
- Mike Terima kasih! Aku bisa mengunduh berkas, dan boleh aku membuat akun baru? Thanks! I can download files, and may I create a new account?
Dialogue
Aplikasi yang praktis — A practical app
- Sari Mike, kamu bisa memakai aplikasi ini? Mike, can you use this app?
- Mike Bisa! Sangat mudah. Kita bisa mengirim pesan gratis. Yes, I can! It's very easy. We can send messages for free.
- Sari Praktis sekali! Boleh aku mengunduhnya sekarang? So practical! May I download it now?
- Mike Tentu boleh. Tapi kamu perlu akun dan kata sandi. Of course you may. But you need an account and a password.
- Sari Aku bisa membuat akun. Di Indonesia, semua orang memakai media sosial. I can create an account. In Indonesia, everyone uses social media.
- Mike Benar! Teknologi di Indonesia sangat praktis. True! Technology in Indonesia is very practical.
Vocabulary
| 汉字 | Pinyin | POS | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ponsel pintar | n. | smartphone | |
| komputer | n. | computer | |
| aplikasi | n. | app | |
| internet | n. | internet | |
| kata sandi | n. | password | |
| akun | n. | account | |
| pesan | n. | message | |
| media sosial | n. | social media | |
| memakai | v. | to use | |
| mengunduh | v. | to download | |
| praktis | adj. | convenient, practical | |
| mengemudi | v. | to drive |
Grammar
Kemampuan dan izin: "bisa" dan "boleh" Ability and permission: "bisa" and "boleh"
Bahasa Indonesia punya dua kata bantu di DEPAN kata kerja untuk hal yang berbeda. ① "bisa + kata kerja" = MAMPU melakukan sesuatu, punya kemampuan: "Saya bisa berenang", "Dia bisa mengemudi", "Saya bisa berbahasa Indonesia". ② "boleh + kata kerja" = DIIZINKAN, ada izin: "Boleh saya masuk?", "Kamu boleh memakai aplikasi ini", "Kita boleh duduk di sini". Bentuk negatif: "tidak bisa" (tidak mampu), "tidak boleh" (dilarang). Untuk bertanya izin dengan sopan, mulai dengan "Boleh saya ...?". Catatan: bahasa Inggris punya satu kata "can" untuk kemampuan DAN izin, jadi penutur Inggris sering memakai "bisa" saat meminta izin: "Bisa saya pinjam pena?" △. Untuk meminta izin, orang Indonesia berkata "Boleh saya pinjam pena?" ✓ ("boleh" khusus untuk izin).
Indonesian has two helping words BEFORE the verb for different things. (1) "bisa + verb" = to be ABLE to do something, to have the ability: "Saya bisa berenang" (I can swim), "Dia bisa mengemudi" (he can drive), "Saya bisa berbahasa Indonesia" (I can speak Indonesian). (2) "boleh + verb" = to be ALLOWED, to have permission: "Boleh saya masuk?" (may I come in?), "Kamu boleh memakai aplikasi ini" (you may use this app), "Kita boleh duduk di sini" (we may sit here). Negatives: "tidak bisa" (unable), "tidak boleh" (forbidden). To ask permission politely, start with "Boleh saya ...?". Note: English has one word "can" for ability AND permission, so English speakers often use "bisa" when asking permission: "Bisa saya pinjam pena?" △. To ask permission, Indonesians say "Boleh saya pinjam pena?" ✓ ("boleh" is specifically for permission).
- Saya bisa berenang. I can swim.
- Dia bisa mengemudi. He can drive.
- Boleh saya memakai komputer ini? May I use this computer?
- Kamu boleh mengunduh aplikasinya. You may download the app.
- Saya tidak bisa berbahasa Prancis. I can't speak French.
Culture
Teknologi di Indonesia Technology in Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the most "digital" countries in the world. Its population is young, almost everyone has a smartphone, and internet data is cheap. From big cities like Jakarta to a warung (small shop) in a village, people use their phones to chat, pay and shop. Knowing a few technology words makes life in Indonesia much easier.
WhatsApp and social media
The most popular messaging app in Indonesia is "WhatsApp" (often shortened to "WA"). Almost everyone uses it for family, friends and work. There are WA groups for the extended family, for school, even for neighbors in the local area (RT/RW). Indonesia is also one of the biggest users of Instagram and TikTok in the world. When first meeting someone, many people ask "Ada WA?" (Do you have WhatsApp?) instead of asking for a regular phone number.
E-wallets and QRIS
In Indonesia you can pay with e-wallets like "GoPay", "OVO", or "DANA". What makes it very practical is "QRIS": a single national-standard QR code that can be paid with any wallet. You just scan the QR code at the cashier, a warung, or even a street vendor. Even so, cash is still often used, especially at small shops, so carrying a little cash is still useful.
Super-apps and online shopping
In Indonesia there are "super-apps" like "Gojek" and "Grab": with one app you can order an ojek (motorbike taxi), food, parcel delivery, and pay, all at once. For online shopping, people use "Tokopedia" and "Shopee". In the past, "warnet" (internet cafes) were popular for gaming; today phones have replaced most of them. Technology weaves into daily life naturally — knowing words like "aplikasi", "akun", "kata sandi" helps you adapt faster.
Technology has become a natural part of everyday life in Indonesia. Once you know words like "aplikasi", "internet" and "kata sandi", life here becomes much more practical. Try downloading a Indonesian-language app and using it.
pronunciation
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