Indonesian · BIPA 1 (A1) · Chapter 42
Bisa dan bolehCan (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.
Dialogue
i
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- Un insegnante in ogni schermata di studio
- Progressi salvati fra capitoli e dispositivi — computer e telefono
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Boleh aku pinjam?— May I borrow it?
- BudiMike, kamu mau memakai komputerku?Mike, do you want to use my computer?
- MikeYa, 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?)
- BudiAh, 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?".
- MikeAh, aku paham. "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?"Ah, I get it. "Boleh aku pinjam sebentar?" (May I borrow it for a moment?)
- BudiTentu, boleh! Kamu juga bisa memakai aplikasi ini. Sangat praktis.Of course, you may! You can also use this app. Very practical.
- MikeTerima kasih! Aku bisa mengunduh berkas, dan boleh aku membuat akun baru?Thanks! I can download files, and may I create a new account?
Dialogue
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Aplikasi yang praktis— A practical app
- SariMike, kamu bisa memakai aplikasi ini?Mike, can you use this app?
- MikeBisa! Sangat mudah. Kita bisa mengirim pesan gratis.Yes, I can! It's very easy. We can send messages for free.
- SariPraktis sekali! Boleh aku mengunduhnya sekarang?So practical! May I download it now?
- MikeTentu boleh. Tapi kamu perlu akun dan kata sandi.Of course you may. But you need an account and a password.
- SariAku bisa membuat akun. Di Indonesia, semua orang memakai media sosial.I can create an account. In Indonesia, everyone uses social media.
- MikeBenar! Teknologi di Indonesia sangat praktis.True! Technology in Indonesia is very practical.
Vocabulary
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- ponsel pintar
nounsmartphone
- komputer
nouncomputer
- aplikasi
nounapp
- internet
nouninternet
- kata sandi
nounpassword
- akun
nounaccount
- pesan
nounmessage
- media sosial
nounsocial media
- memakai
verbto use
- mengunduh
verbto download
- praktis
adjectiveconvenient, practical
- mengemudi
verbto drive
Grammar
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Ability and permission: "bisa" and "boleh"
Explanation
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).
Examples
- 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
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Teknologi di IndonesiaTechnology 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.
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