menurut

According to with Menurut

Level 2

Menurut is primarily used to attribute information to a source or express an opinion ('according to'). It also functions as a verb meaning 'to follow' or 'to obey' rules and advice.

How It Works

Menurut is a versatile word in Indonesian with four primary functions:

1. As a Preposition ('According to')
This is the most common usage, introducing a source or perspective. As a preposition, menurut must be followed by a noun or noun phrase (the source), not a full clause. When placed at the beginning of a sentence, this phrase is typically separated from the main clause by a comma. It is used for:

  • Opinions: Menurut saya, ... (In my opinion, ...).
  • Sources: Menurut berita, ... (According to the news, ...).
  • Standards: Menurut aturan, ... (According to the rules, ...).

2. For Classification or Ordering ('By' / 'In accordance with')
It is used to describe how items are organized, such as menurut abjad (alphabetically/by alphabet) or menurut ukurannya (by its size).

3. As a Path Marker ('Along' / 'Following')
It can describe following a physical path, such as menurut jalan ini (along this road). Note that this usage is primarily found in formal or literary contexts; in casual speech, lewat or mengikuti is more common.

4. As a Verb ('To obey' / 'To follow' / 'To imitate')
It describes the act of complying with wishes, advice, or rules. Both menurut and the suffixed form menuruti are fully functional transitive verbs. However, menuruti carries a specific nuance of yielding to, indulging, or fulfilling a request or demand (e.g., menuruti kemauan anak, 'to indulge a child's wishes'). Menurut can also mean to copy or imitate a model (e.g., menggambar menurut contoh, 'to draw following an example'). A person who is habitually obedient is called a penurut (using the peN- prefix).

Examples (6)

  1. Menurut saya, makanan ini terlalu pedas.

    In my opinion, this food is too spicy.

    Word by Word: According to me, food this too spicy.

    Here, 'menurut' introduces the speaker's personal perspective.

  2. Menurut laporan cuaca, besok akan hujan.

    According to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow.

    Word by Word: According to report weather, tomorrow will rain.

    In this context, 'menurut' cites an external source of information.

  3. Daftar ini disusun menurut abjad.

    This list is arranged alphabetically (according to the alphabet).

    Word by Word: List this arranged according to alphabet.

    This shows 'menurut' used for classification or ordering, meaning 'by' or 'in accordance with'.

  4. Dia selalu menurut nasihat ibunya.

    He always obeys his mother's advice.

    Word by Word: He always follow advice mother-his.

    This demonstrates the verbal function of 'menurut', meaning 'to obey' or 'to follow', which can be used transitively with a direct object like 'nasihat' (advice).

  5. Berjalanlah menurut jalan ini sampai ke pasar.

    Walk along this road until you reach the market.

    Word by Word: Walk-lah follow road this until to market.

    This shows 'menurut' used to mean 'along' a physical route, which is common in formal or literary writing.

  6. Menurutnya, rencana itu tidak bagus.

    According to him/her, that plan is not good.

    Word by Word: According to-him/her, plan that not good.

    The suffix -nya is attached to 'menurut' to mean 'according to him/her'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'bahwa' (that) immediately after 'menurut saya'.

    Menurut saya bahwa dia benar.
    Menurut saya, dia benar.

    In Indonesian, 'menurut' already introduces the perspective, so adding the conjunction 'bahwa' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

  • Separating the suffix -i from mengikuti.

    Saya mengikut i dia ke pasar.
    Saya mengikuti dia ke pasar.

    Write mengikuti together. It is an ordinary choice for following someone physically. Menurut also has established following/path senses; those senses are not ungrammatical merely because a simpler everyday alternative exists.

  • Using 'menurut' as an active verb meaning 'to think'.

    Saya menurut ini ide yang bagus.
    Menurut saya, ini ide yang bagus.

    Learners sometimes translate 'I think' directly as 'Saya menurut'. However, 'menurut' in this context functions as a preposition meaning 'according to', so the correct structure is 'Menurut saya' (According to me).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

menurutLevel 2According to with Menurut

Learn This First

To use 'menurut' effectively, learners need to understand how to identify the source of the opinion or information, which typically involves using personal pronouns or nouns in a possessive-like structure.

Words in This Pattern

menurutmenurut