Unit 1: The 2nd Personal Pronouns: Anda, Kamu, Engkau, Lu

[Desmond]

Hi,

I write this topic to help BI learners to get a better understanding about these personal pronouns, when and to whom they should be used.

Let's start

1. ANDA
Normally people don't use Anda in daily conversation. It's very formal. You'll likely hear it spoken by TV presenters, formal speech, advertisement.

For examples:
a. Radio advertisement:
Bagi Anda yang tertarik, silahkan hubungi kami di 555-555-555.
For those of you who are interested, please call us at 555-555-555
b. Bank brochures
Serahkan masalah keuangan Anda pada kami
Let us handle your financial problem.

Even when talking to your boss or someone you respect, most people don't use Anda. Instead use "Bapak" for a man or "Ibu" for a woman.

For example:
Maaf Pak, tadi ada telepon dari Pak Andy untuk Bapak.
Excuse me Sir, there was a phone call from Mr. Andy for you.

The same situation applies when you are talking to your customers, clients, suppliers and other business collegues.

Baik Bu, saya akan mengirimkan fax daftar harga untuk Ibu segera mungkin.
OK mam, I will fax you the price list as soon as possible.

For a less formal situation (talking to a bank teller, a waiter, asking for direction from a stranger), you have two options: use Bapak and Ibu as mentioned above or you can use MAS for a man and MBAK for a woman AND only when they are about your age or younger. It's considered more polite than using KAMU or (even worse) ENGKAU.

Note: MAS (which means brother), and MBAK (sister) are actually words derived from Javanese. Use it when you live in cities in Java island (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, etc). Outside Java (Bali, Lombok, Medan, Makasar, etc), I’d recommend to use Bapak and Ibu instead.


2. KAMU

“Kamu” is an informal form of “you”. Use it in these situations:

a. Talking to someone who is much younger (your kids, for example).
Mama kan sudah bilang sama kamu, jangan nakal!
Mom has told you before, don’t be naughty!

b. Talking to your subordinates or your employees
Amad, tolong kamu antar surat ini ke Ibu Yenni
Amad, please deliver this letter to Mrs. Yenni

Now, what should you use when you are talking to an old street beggar or your employee who is 20 years older than you? Well, that would depend on the situation.

Pak, ini ada sedikit uang untuk Bapak
Sir, here is some money for you.

Pergi! Kamu mengemis saja kerjanya tiap hari!
Get lost! You do nothing but beg for money everyday!

Pak Ujang, ini bonus akhir tahun buat Bapak merayakan Lebaran
Mr. Ujang, here’s the year-end bonus for you to celebrate Lebaran

Ujang! Kamu saya pecat!
Ujang! You’re fired!

c. Talking to your friend

Yanto, kemarin aku ada telpon kamu tapi kamu tidak di rumah.
Yanto, yesterday I called you but you weren’t at home.


3. ENGKAU or KAU

Nobody use ENGKAU in conversation (well, people from certain ethnic does, but we won't discuss it here). It’s rude and it only makes you sounds weird. Nevertheless, you will still see ENGKAU used in poetry, prayer, song lyrics (in general, literature). For an unknown reason, people use ENGKAU (and only ENGKAU or KAU) when talking to God.

Ya Tuhan, terima kasih atas makanan yang telah Engkau berikan ini.
Dear Lord, thank you for the food that You have given to us.

Jennifer, engkau adalah sinar matahari bagi hidupku
Jennifer, you are the sunshine of my life.

Never use ANDA to refer to God!


4. LU, LO, ELU, ELOE

These four words are originally derived from local Chinese dialects, LU. It was absorbed by the Betawi people (Jakarta’s native) and since then become a widely used slang. Only use it when talking to your close friends or persons who you considered don’t need to be well respected.

Note: Though understood, I’d recommend to refrain from using this LU word if you are not in Jakarta.

I hope this helps BI learners to better understand the usage of these 2nd personal pronouns.

Comments are appreciated

[Katleen]

Thanks, Desmond, very useful information I've printed your post to add it to my notes.

For an unknown reason, people use ENGKAU (and only ENGKAU or KAU) when talking to God.

When I was looking for information about the pronouns on the Net, I found an explanation for this that makes sense (since you imply it's a very informal pronoun): they said it was used to express a close connection, a close intimacy with God.

[Desmond]

... they said it was used to express a close connection, a close intimacy with God.

Well, I'm afraid I don't agree with that

If they can use engkau to express intimacy with God, then why don't they use it to express intimacy with their mom or dad? Try saying "Mama, kau mau kemana?" You may get a slap in your face

In a certain religion, people use "Father" to express a close intimacy with God, don't they?

After thinking for a while, I would say because when we are "talking" to God, we tend to use a somewhat poetic sentence (hence, literature) and that's why we use Engkau.

Ya Tuhan, engkau adalah gembala hidupku.
Dear Lord, you are the shepherd of my life.

I don't think someone, in daily, normal conversation, would say "Oh my dearest Katleen, you are the best friend God has sent to my life", thus will be translated "Oh, Katleenku tercinta, engkau adalah teman terbaik yang telah Tuhan kirimkan bagi hidupku". Replace engkau with kamu, then the sentence becomes less poetic, less beautiful.

[Katleen]

If they can use engkau to express intimacy with God, then why don't they use it to express intimacy with their mom or dad? Try saying "Mama, kau mau kemana?" You may get a slap in your face

Is that because you would seem to be talking to her in a pompous, elevated style and thus be making fun of her? I'm trying to imagine why a word could sound both poetic (even romantic, occasionally, it seems) AND insulting.

I suppose you couldn't use 'kamu' either, when speaking to your mother, because she's considerably older than you are? You would just use ibu I suppose, or mama? (I can see Anda would be way too formal...)

[Desmond]

I'm trying to imagine why a word could sound both poetic (even romantic, occasionally, it seems) AND insulting.

Hahaha..excellent question! Just put it this way: NEVER use ENGKAU/KAU when you are talking to someone unless you know this person extremely well.

I suppose you couldn't use 'kamu' either, when speaking to your mother, because she's considerably older than you are? You would just use ibu I suppose, or mama? (I can see Anda would be way too formal...)

Correct. Just use ibu or mama instead of using pronouns to address her.

Ma, saya boleh pinjam baju mama nggak?
Mom, can I borrow your dress?

[0stsee]

Nobody use ENGKAU in conversation (well, people from certain ethnic does, but we won't discuss it here). It’s rude and it only makes you sounds weird. Nevertheless, you will still see ENGKAU used in poetry, prayer, song lyrics (in general, literature). For an unknown reason, people use ENGKAU (and only ENGKAU or KAU) when talking to God.

I still use kau (not engkau) in daily conversations, where other people would use loe.
I am an exception in this case, though.


Mark

PS: Excellent post of yours, Desmond.

[Desmond]

I still use kau (not engkau) in daily conversations, where other people would use loe.
I am an exception in this case, though.

Hi Mark,

Good to have you back

Back in my hometown in Kalimantan (Borneo), people do use kau in daily conversations but having lived in Jakarta for 8 years, I believe I've never heard this word mentioned a single time in daily conversations. I guess in some area (Medan, for example), kau is still being used.

I myself would be a little offended if someone use kau at me, by the way

[Katleen]

No unanimity on (eng)kau, I see. I got it, I'll stay clear of that word

[john11]

Another great post. I notice on the BBC website they use Anda everywhere. But I think if I just use Kamu all the time that will get me by for the time being.