paragrafnya

Paragrafnya is a term used in Indonesian grammar to describe a noun phrase formed by the word paragraf plus the suffix -nya. The base word paragraf means a paragraph, and the suffix -nya functions as a pronominal clitic that marks definiteness or possession, signaling that the paragraph in question is understood from the surrounding context.

In Indonesian, the suffix -nya attaches to nouns to indicate that the referent is definite, known, or belongs to a previously mentioned entity. When -nya is added to paragraf, the resulting form can mean “its paragraph,” “the paragraph,” or simply “the paragraph in question,” depending on context. This construction helps maintain cohesion in discourse by avoiding repetition of the full noun.

Usage of paragrafnya is common in both spoken and written Indonesian, especially in descriptive or explanatory text. Examples include: Paragrafnya panjang, jadi saya perlu memendekkannya. (The paragraph is long, so I need to shorten it.) Saya membaca paragrafnya untuk memahami argumen penulis. (I read its paragraph/its paragraph to understand the author’s argument.) In each case, -nya links the noun to a definite or referenced antecedent.

Related forms include other possessive or definite suffixes such as -ku (my) and -mu (your), which attach to the corresponding nouns with the same pronominal function. Paragrafnya illustrates how Indonesian relies on affixes to convey possession and definiteness without separate possessive pronouns.

See also: Indonesian language, grammar, pronominal affixes, morphology.