lagi

Again or More with Lagi

Level 2

Lagi is a high-frequency word that changes meaning based on where it is placed. It can mean 'again' (after a verb), 'more' (after a noun), 'in' (after a time duration), or 'currently' (before a verb in casual speech).

How It Works

The word lagi is one of the most flexible particles in Indonesian. Understanding its placement is key to avoiding confusion.

  • Repetition ('Again'): When placed after the predicate, it indicates an action is being repeated.
    Example: Saya makan lagi (I am eating again).
  • Addition ('More'): When it follows a noun or a number, it indicates an additional amount.
    Example: Satu lagi (One more). Note: For the basic comparison more expensive, use lebih instead.
  • Continuous Aspect ('Currently'): In casual, spoken Indonesian, lagi placed before a verb acts as a progressive marker. In formal contexts, you should use sedang instead.
    Example: Saya lagi makan (I am [currently] eating).
  • Temporal Future ('In...'): When placed after a duration of time, it indicates when something will happen in the future.
    Example: Lima menit lagi (In five minutes).
  • Negative Construction ('No longer'): When used with tidak or bukan, it means 'anymore' or 'no longer'.
    Example: Saya tidak lapar lagi (I am not hungry anymore).
  • Interrogative ('Else'): When following question words like apa or siapa, it means 'else'.
    Example: Apa lagi? (What else?).
  • Common Compounds: You will often see lagi pula (moreover/besides) used to add a reason, and apalagi (especially/let alone) to emphasize a point.
  • Conjunction ('And also'): In descriptive contexts, it can link two adjectives.
    Example: Murah lagi enak (Cheap and also delicious).

Note: The reduplicated form lagi-lagi often implies 'again and again' with a sense of annoyance or frustration.

Comparison and Register: Mahal lagi can mean expensive again; lebih mahal is the clear basic model for more expensive. Lagi can also add a further degree in lebih mahal lagi (even more expensive), so it is not excluded from all comparisons. Progressive lagi is familiar in conversation; sedang is a useful formal alternative, without making every quoted or conversational lagi inside a formal text an error.

Examples (6)

  1. Boleh saya minta kopi lagi?

    May I have more coffee?

    Word by Word: May I ask coffee more?

    Here, 'lagi' follows the noun 'kopi', functioning as 'more' or 'another'.

  2. Dia lagi tidur di kamar.

    He is sleeping in the room.

    Word by Word: He [currently] sleep in room.

    In this informal sentence, 'lagi' comes before the verb 'tidur' to show the action is happening right now.

  3. Jangan lakukan itu lagi.

    Don't do that again.

    Word by Word: Don't do that again.

    'Lagi' appears after the action 'lakukan itu', indicating repetition.

  4. Filmnya mulai sepuluh menit lagi.

    The movie starts in ten minutes.

    Word by Word: Movie-the start ten minute more.

    When following a time duration, 'lagi' translates to 'in' or 'left' until the event starts.

  5. Saya tidak tinggal di sini lagi.

    I don't live here anymore.

    Word by Word: I not live at here anymore.

    When paired with a negation like 'tidak', 'lagi' means 'anymore' or 'no longer'.

  6. Siapa lagi yang mau ikut?

    Who else wants to come along?

    Word by Word: Who else that want follow?

    When following a question word like 'siapa', 'lagi' translates to 'else'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the again reading of mahal lagi when intending the basic comparison more expensive.

    Buku ini mahal lagi.
    Buku ini lebih mahal.

    For the intended basic comparison use lebih mahal. Mahal lagi can instead mean expensive again, and lebih mahal lagi is valid for even more expensive; the issue here is the intended reading.

  • Putting lagi after the verb when you mean 'right now'.

    Different MeaningSaya makan lagi.
    Saya lagi makan.

    Saya makan lagi is a good sentence, but with lagi after the verb it means 'I eat again.' To say you are eating right now in casual speech, put lagi before the verb: Saya lagi makan.

How It Connects

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lagiLevel 2Again or More with Lagi

Learn This First

To use 'lagi' correctly, you need to understand basic Indonesian sentence structure and how adjectives and verbs function as predicates. 'Lagi' is placed after these elements to indicate repetition ('again') or an additional amount ('more'), and it is also frequently used in casual speech as a progressive marker similar to 'sedang'.

Words in This Pattern