semakin

Increasing Degree with Semakin

Level 3

Semakin describes increasing degree, for example semakin panas (increasingly hot). Makin is another standard form, also common in conversation.

How It Works

Semakin functions as a degree modifier. It tells the listener that something isn't just 'more,' but is 'becoming more' as time passes or as another condition changes.

1. Usage with Adjectives
When placed before an adjective, it indicates a progressive increase in that quality:

  • Semakin sulit (Increasingly difficult)
  • Semakin besar (Increasingly big)

2. Usage with Verbs
It is often paired with verbs that show a process, particularly those using the meN- prefix or ber- prefix:

  • Semakin meningkat (Increasingly rising)
  • Semakin berkurang (Increasingly diminishing)

3. The Correlative Structure
You can use semakin in two parts of a sentence to create a 'The more... the more...' construction. This is formally known as semakin ... semakin .... For example: Semakin cepat, semakin baik (The faster, the better).

4. Register and Synonyms
Semakin and makin are both standard forms illustrated by TBBI. Makin is common in conversation as well as formal prose. In very formal or literary contexts, you might see kian used similarly. Additionally, the words tambah or bertambah can sometimes be used as alternatives to express an increasing degree or quantity.

Clear Degree Models: Dia semakin cantik is a concise model without an extra lebih. Do not infer that every combination of degree expressions is universally ungrammatical. For completion, Pekerjaan itu hampir selesai means the work is nearly finished, while semakin mendekati selesai explicitly describes progress toward completion. The appropriate wording depends on the intended scale, not a blanket prohibition on metaphorical gradability.

Examples (5)

  1. Dunia semakin panas karena perubahan iklim.

    The world is getting hotter and hotter because of climate change.

    Word by Word: World increasingly hot because change climate.

    Here, 'semakin' modifies the adjective 'panas' (hot) to show a continuous trend.

  2. Kondisi kesehatannya semakin membaik.

    His health condition is increasingly improving.

    Word by Word: Condition health-his increasingly improve.

    Used with the verb 'membaik' (to improve) to show a positive progression.

  3. Semakin sering kita berlatih, semakin lancar kita berbicara.

    The more often we practice, the more fluently we speak.

    Word by Word: Increasingly often we practice, increasingly fluent we speak.

    This demonstrates the correlative 'semakin... semakin...' structure, linking two increasing conditions.

  4. Harga kebutuhan pokok semakin lama semakin mahal.

    The price of basic necessities is getting more and more expensive over time.

    Word by Word: Price necessity basic increasingly long increasingly expensive.

    The phrase 'semakin lama' (the longer it goes) is a common way to emphasize that the change is happening over time.

  5. Bahasa Indonesianya semakin lancar.

    His Indonesian is becoming increasingly fluent.

    Word by Word: Language Indonesia-his increasingly fluent.

    Shows a progressive increase in a skill level.

How It Connects

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semakinLevel 3Increasing Degree with Semakin

Learn This First

To understand 'semakin', learners should first be comfortable with how adjectives function as predicates in Indonesian. They also need to understand basic degree modifiers like 'sangat' (very) and the comparative 'lebih' (more), as 'semakin' functions as a dynamic version of these concepts, indicating that a quality is growing or intensifying over time.

Words in This Pattern

semakin