padamu

Padamu is a functionally dative or indirect-object form in the Indonesian language, formed by the preposition pada combined with the second-person pronoun mu. It translates roughly as “to you” or “toward you” and is used to indicate the recipient or target of an action.

Grammatical notes indicate that padamu is part of a broader system where pada plus a personal pronoun yields a directional or beneficiary phrase, similar to padaku (to me) or kepadamu (to you). In modern everyday speech, padamu is more common in formal, literary, or poetic contexts; more colloquial alternatives include untukmu or kepadamu, or kepadamu in the more explicit prepositional form.

Usage examples illustrate its role as an indirect object. Saya memberikannya padamu means “I am giving it to you.” Hadiah ini padamu can be understood as “This gift is for you.” In everyday conversation, speakers may prefer untukmu or kepada kamu, but padamu remains correct and acceptable, particularly in formal or written Indonesian.

Etymology traces padamu to the combination of the preposition pada with the possessive clitic mu, a pattern seen with other pronoun forms such as padaku (to me) and padamu (to you). The construction reflects Indonesian’s flexible use of prepositions and clitics to mark recipients and beneficiaries.

See also: padaku, kepadamu, kepada kamu, kepada dirinya.