Using capital letters may seem like a small detail, but it’s actually an essential aspect of communicating effectively in any language, including Indonesian. In Indonesian, capital letters are used in a variety of situations. Understanding how to use them is crucial to clear and effective communication.
1. Capital letters are used as the first letter of the beginning of a sentence.
For example:
(O) Di rumah itu terdapat 2 kamar tidur dan 1 kamar mandi.
(X) di rumah itu terdapat 2 kamar tidur dan 1 kamar mandi.
Translation: The house has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
(O) Tugas kelompok hari ini harus dikerjakan sebelum libur panjang.
(X) tugas kelompok hari ini harus dikerjakan sebelum libur panjang.
Translation: Today’s group assignment needs to be done before the long holiday.
2. Capital letters are used as the first letter for proper names, including nicknames.
For example:
(O) Bapak Pendidikan Indonesia
(X) bapak pendidikan indonesia
Translation: The Father of Indonesian Education
(O) Agus Salim
(X) agus salim
3. Capital letters are not used as the first letter of names of persons used as names of types or units of measure.
For example:
(O) 10 kilogram
(X) 10 Kilogram
(O) bunga mawar
(X) bunga Mawar
Translation: Rose flower
4. Capital letters are used in the names of people in the names of theories, laws and formulas.
For example:
(O) hukum Murphy
(X) hukum murphy
Translation: Murphy’s law
(O) teori Relativitas Einstein
(X) teori relativitas einstein
Translation: Einstein’s theory of relativity
5. Do not use capital letters for the first letter of words that mean ‘child of’, such as bin, binti, boru and van, unless they are the first letter of a name or the first letter of a word.
For example:
(O) Conrad Theodore van Deventer
(X) Conrad Theodore Van Deventer
(O) Van Helsing adalah film aksi-horor Amerika Serikat yang dirilis pada tahun 2004.
(X) van helsing adalah film aksi-horor Amerika Serikat yang dirilis pada tahun 2004
Translation: Van Helsing is an American action-horror film released in 2004.
(O) Ayam Jantan dari Timur
(X) Ayam Jantan Dari Timur
Translation: The Rooster of the East
(O) Aisyah binti Abu Bakar
(X) Aisyah Binti Abu Bakar
6. Capital letters are used at the beginning of sentences in direct quotations.
For example:
Kakak berkata, “Jangan lupa mengunci pintu rumah!”
Translation: Big brother said, “Don’t forget to lock the door!”
“Ada di atas meja,” sanggah Adik segera, “baru saja kuletakkannya”
Translation: “It’s on the table,” she quickly replied, “I just put it down.”
7. Capital letters are used as the first letter in certain cases relating to the names of religions, holy books and God, including titles and pronouns of God and abbreviations of God’s name.
For example:
(O) Islam, Hindu, Kristen, Budha, Konghucu
(X) islam, hindu, kristen, budha, konghucu
Allah Yang Maha Kuasa akan menunjukkan jalan-Nya.
Translation: Allah the Almighty will show you the way.
Ya, Tuhan, bimbinglah hamba ke jalan yang Engkau beri rahmat.
Translation: O Lord, guide me to the path of Your mercy.
8. Capital letters are used as the first letter of the name element of an honorary, noble, hereditary, religious or academic title followed by a person’s name, and an academic degree followed by a person’s name.
For example:
Maharaja Aswawarman
Teuku Ibrahim Lam Nga
Doktor Mohammad Hatta
Achmad Soebardjo, Sarjana Hukum
9. Capital letters are used as the first letter of the name element of titles of honour, descent, religion, profession, and names of offices and ranks used as salutations.
For example:
Selamat datang, Yang Mulia.
Silakan duduk, Prof.
Siap, Jenderal.
10. Capital letters are used as the first letter of the elements of the names of positions and ranks, followed by the names of persons or as a substitute for the names of persons, the names of institutions or the names of places.
For example:
Wakil Presiden Adam Malik
Laksamana Muda Udara Husein Sastranegara
To conclude, using capital letters is an important aspect of effective communication in Indonesian. It helps us to distinguish between different types of words, it makes texts easier to read and understand, and it helps us to convey our ideas in a clear and effective manner. So, let’s embrace the power of capital letters in Indonesian and use them to communicate with clarity and precision.
