se-
As ... as with Se-
The se- equative is a prefix used to express equality. It turns an adjective like besar (big) into sebesar (as big as).
How It Works
The se- equative is a standard way to show that two things share a quality to the same degree.
1. Formation:
The prefix se- is invariant, meaning it never changes its form regardless of the first letter of the root word.
- tinggi (tall) → setinggi (as tall as)
- murah (cheap) → semurah (as cheap as)
- pintar (smart) → sepintar (as smart as)
2. Sentence Structure:
The structure is: [Subject] + [se-Adjective] + [Object of Comparison]. Unlike English, which uses 'as... as', or the alternative standard Indonesian sama ... dengan, the se- form does not require any extra prepositions like dengan (with) or dari (than).
3. Register:
Both se- and sama ... dengan occur in standard and conversational Indonesian. TBBI illustrates the expanded model sama besarnya dengan; neither construction is reserved exclusively for one register. The phrase secepat mungkin belongs to a related maximum-possible-degree model, not a comparison with a second person or thing.
4. Negation:
To say something is 'not as... as', simply add tidak before the se- adjective.
Examples (4)
- Rumahnya sebesar rumah saya.
His/her house is as big as my house.
Word by Word: House-his as-big-as house my.
Here, 'sebesar' expresses that the two houses are equal in size.
- Dia tidak sepintar kakaknya.
He/she is not as smart as his/her older sibling.
Word by Word: He/she not as-smart-as older-sibling-his/her.
Using 'tidak' before the se- adjective creates a negative comparison.
- Gunung itu setinggi awan.
That mountain is as high as the clouds.
Word by Word: Mountain that as-high-as cloud.
This is a common poetic or descriptive use of the equative se-.
- Saya ingin berlari secepat mungkin.
I want to run as fast as possible.
Word by Word: I want run as-fast-as possible.
Secepat mungkin expresses the greatest possible speed. This is a related maximum-degree use of se-, distinct from comparing two entities as equally fast.
Common Mistakes
Adding 'dengan' or 'dari' after the se- adjective.
Dia sepintar dengan saya.Dia sepintar saya.In the se- equative pattern, the object of comparison follows the adjective directly. Do not add 'dengan' (with) or 'dari' (than).
Confusing 'se-' with 'seperti'.
Wajahnya semerah seperti tomat.Wajahnya semerah tomat.For the direct equative model use semerah tomat. For an explicit resemblance model use merah seperti tomat. Combining the two markers as displayed does not form either clear model.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the se- equative, you first need to be comfortable with basic adjective usage in Indonesian. It is also helpful to understand the 'sama ... dengan' construction, as the se- prefix serves a similar function of expressing equality or comparison. Finally, since this prefix is often used with the -nya suffix to refer back to a previously mentioned noun, familiarity with third-person markers is necessary.
- sama ... denganEquality with Sama ... Dengan
This is the standard way to express equality in Indonesian; the se- prefix is a more compact morphological alternative to this construction.
Level 2 - -nyaThird-person Suffix -nya
The se- equative often appears with the -nya suffix (e.g., sebesarnya) to indicate 'as big as it/him/her', requiring knowledge of this third-person marker.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- lebih ... daripadaComparative with Lebih
While se- shows equality, this pattern shows a higher degree (comparative).
Level 2 - paling + AdjectiveSuperlative with Paling
This pattern expresses the highest degree (superlative) rather than equality.
Level 2 - sepertiSimilarity with Seperti
Seperti expresses resemblance and can describe similar qualities. Equative se- explicitly constructs a degree comparison, which can itself be figurative.
Level 2 - tidak se-...Negative Equality
The specific pattern for negating equality ('not as... as').
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice se- in Bubblegum
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