belajar

Irregular Ber- Form Belajar

Level 2

Belajar means to study or learn. It uses the bel- variant of the ber- prefix with ajar; it is not formed as berajar.

How It Works

The verb belajar is one of the most frequently used words in Indonesian. Here are the key points to understand its usage:

  • The Irregularity: In standard Indonesian grammar, the prefix ber- usually stays as ber- or drops the 'r' to become be- (as in be- allomorph). Belajar is a familiar word with the bel- variant; TBBI also lists belunjur, beleter, and belagu. The 'l' also appears in related nouns like pelajar (student) and pelajaran (lesson).
  • Intransitive Nature: Belajar is an intransitive verb. This means it focuses on the subject's activity of studying. While you can mention a complement or topic (e.g., belajar bahasa), the focus remains on the act of learning.
  • No Passive Form: Because belajar is intransitive, it cannot be used in the di- passive form. You cannot say bahasa dibelajar. If you need to use a passive construction, you must use the transitive verb mempelajari (e.g., bahasa dipelajari).
  • Belajar vs. Mempelajari: Use belajar for general studying. The transitive form mempelajari takes the thing studied as its object and has the passive dipelajari. It can describe examining a topic; the grammatical distinction does not require every use to mean especially detailed study.
  • Belajar vs. Mengajar: Do not confuse these! Belajar is to receive knowledge (to learn), while mengajar is to give knowledge (to teach).

Examples (4)

  1. Saya sedang belajar di perpustakaan.

    I am studying in the library.

    Word by Word: I [progressive marker] study at library.

    This shows the most common use of 'belajar' as a general activity.

  2. Adik belajar naik sepeda.

    My younger sibling is learning to ride a bike.

    Word by Word: Younger-sibling study climb bicycle.

    Here, 'belajar' is used for acquiring a new skill.

  3. Kita harus belajar setiap hari.

    We must study every day.

    Word by Word: We (inclusive) must study every day.

    A general statement about the necessity of learning.

  4. Dia belajar bahasa Indonesia dengan rajin.

    He studies Indonesian diligently.

    Word by Word: He study language Indonesia with diligent.

    Even when followed by a complement like 'bahasa Indonesia', 'belajar' remains the standard verb for the activity of learning.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the regular prefix form 'berajar'.

    Saya mau berajar bahasa.
    Saya mau belajar bahasa.

    With ajar, use the established bel- form belajar, not berajar. Other words also use bel-, but that does not make the variant productive with every root.

  • Confusing 'to learn' (belajar) with 'to teach' (mengajar).

    Guru itu belajar saya matematika.
    Guru itu mengajar saya matematika.

    Belajar describes learning, while mengajar describes teaching. A teacher can also learn, but the intended meaning here is that the teacher teaches me mathematics; belajar does not take saya matematika as these two following participants.

How It Connects

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

belajarLevel 2Irregular Ber- Form Belajar

Learn This First

To understand 'belajar', a learner needs to be familiar with the 'ber-' prefix system for verbs and its common allomorphs, as 'belajar' is the only word in Indonesian that uses the 'bel-' variation of this prefix.

Words in This Pattern

ber-