rambutnya

Rambutnya is an Indonesian term formed by the noun rambut (hair) plus the possessive determiner suffixnya. The suffix -nya functions as a third‑person possessive marker meaning his/her/its, and it can also indicate definiteness in certain contexts. When attached to rambut, rambutnya generally translates to “his/her/its hair.”

Usage and meaning

Rambutnya is used to refer to hair belonging to a previously mentioned person or thing, or to refer to hair in a general sense with a specified possessor. It can function as the subject or the object of a sentence, depending on the structure. For example, in Rambutnya panjang, the phrase means “His/her hair is long.” In Saya suka rambutnya, the speaker expresses a liking for that person’s hair. The exact possessor is determined by context.

Grammar notes

In Indonesian, possessive clitics like -nya attach directly to the noun without a space. Rambutnya does not inflect for gender or number; it relies on context to identify whose hair is being referenced. The base noun rambut remains unchanged.

Variations

Comparable forms include rambutku (my hair) and rambutmu (your hair). The same possessive particle -nya can also appear on other nouns to convey similar relationships, illustrating a general pattern of Indonesian possession with clitic pronouns.

See also

Rambut; possessive clitics in Indonesian; -nya suffix.