Adjectival reduplication

Level 2

Adjectival reduplication is used to show that multiple things share a quality (distributive plurality), to create adverbs of manner, or to soften a quality (with affixes).

How It Works

Adjectival reduplication is a versatile feature of Indonesian grammar with several main functions:

1. Distributive Plurality (Full Reduplication):
Repeating the base adjective (e.g., manis-manis) indicates that the quality applies to a group of items. Apel ini manis-manis means 'These apples are [all] sweet.' It implies plurality without repeating the noun.

2. Adverbialization:
Reduplication can transform an adjective into an adverb describing how an action is performed. For example, keras (loud/hard) becomes keras-keras (loudly/hard).

3. Approximation (Affixed Reduplication):
Using the ke-...-an pattern with reduplication (e.g., kemerah-merahan) creates an '-ish' meaning. Note that while ke-...-an often forms nouns, in this specific reduplicated context it functions as an adjective meaning 'somewhat' or 'approaching' a quality.

4. Maximization (se-R-nya):
Combining the prefix se-, reduplication, and the suffix -nya expresses 'as [adjective] as possible.' For example, secepat-cepatnya means 'as fast as possible.'

5. Concessive Function:
If placed at the start of a sentence, it can mean 'although [adjective].' For example: Kecil-kecil, dia berani (Although small, he is brave).

Examples (5)

  1. Buah mangga di pasar itu manis-manis.

    The mangoes in that market are (all) sweet.

    Word by Word: Fruit mango at market that sweet-sweet.

    The reduplication of 'manis' shows that all the mangoes being discussed share the quality of being sweet.

  2. Jangan berteriak keras-keras di dalam perpustakaan.

    Don't scream loudly inside the library.

    Word by Word: Do not scream hard-hard at inside library.

    Here, 'keras-keras' acts as an adverb of manner, describing how the screaming should not be done.

  3. Langit sore ini berwarna kekuning-kuningan.

    The evening sky is yellowish in color.

    Word by Word: Sky evening this colored ke-yellow-yellow-an.

    The ke-...-an affix combined with reduplication creates an adjective meaning '-ish' (yellowish).

  4. Tolong selesaikan tugas ini secepat-cepatnya.

    Please finish this task as quickly as possible.

    Word by Word: Please finish task this as-fast-fast-nya.

    The se- + reduplication + -nya pattern is used to express the maximum degree of a quality, meaning 'as ... as possible'.

  5. Rumah di jalan ini besar-besar.

    The houses on this street are (all) big.

    Word by Word: House at road this big-big.

    Reduplicating 'besar' implies there are multiple houses and they are all large.

Common Mistakes

  • Using reduplication to mean 'very' for a single object.

    Buku ini tebal-tebal. (Maksud: satu buku yang sangat tebal.)
    Buku ini sangat tebal.

    Reduplicating the adjective 'tebal' (thick) implies there are multiple thick books. If you only have one book and want to say it is 'very thick,' use 'sangat' instead.

  • Omitting the hyphen in a repeated adjective.

    Buku-buku itu tebal tebal.
    Buku-buku itu tebal-tebal.

    Write the repeated adjective with a hyphen. Buku-buku itu tebal-tebal can mark the plural set and distribute the quality across its members; noun and adjective reduplication are not universally incompatible.

How It Connects

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Adjectival reduplicationLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand adjectival reduplication, you first need to know how adjectives are positioned relative to nouns. It is also helpful to be familiar with the general concept of reduplication in Indonesian (usually first encountered with nouns) and how the language expresses plurality through context rather than inflection.