seperti

Similarity with Seperti

Level 2

Seperti is the standard Indonesian word for 'like' or 'as.' It is used to compare two things that are similar or to list examples.

How It Works

In Indonesian, seperti functions as both a preposition and a conjunction. Understanding its usage requires distinguishing it from other 'as' or 'like' words:

  • Similarity with Nouns: When comparing a noun to another, simply place seperti before the noun. For example: merah seperti tomat (red like a tomato).
  • Introducing Examples: Use it to list items. Saya suka olahraga, seperti renang dan lari (I like sports, such as swimming and running).
  • Comparing Actions (Clauses): Seperti yang can introduce a comparison with what was said or done. It is not obligatory before every clause: seperti also directly introduces clauses such as seperti dia menyayangi anaknya. For example: Seperti yang saya katakan (As I said).
  • Register: Seperti is neutral and formal. In very casual Jakarta-style speech, you will often hear kayak used instead, while seperti is useful across neutral and formal settings. Politeness depends on the whole interaction.

Crucial Distinction: Do not confuse seperti with sebagai. Seperti is for similarity (A is like B), while sebagai is for roles or identity (A functions as B in this context).

Similarity Does Not Deny Identity: Bekerja seperti guru compares the manner of working with a teacher’s; it does not logically prove the person is not a teacher. To state the profession directly, use bekerja sebagai guru. Seperti saya bilang kemarin also occurs in speech; seperti yang saya katakan is a clear standard way to refer to what I said.

Examples (5)

  1. Wajahnya merah seperti tomat.

    His/her face is red like a tomato.

    Word by Word: Face-his/her red like tomato.

    Here, 'seperti' compares the color of the face to a tomato.

  2. Seperti yang sudah kita bahas, rapat akan dimulai jam sembilan.

    As we have already discussed, the meeting will start at nine o'clock.

    Word by Word: Like that already we discuss, meeting will start hour nine.

    Seperti yang sudah kita bahas refers to what we have discussed. Other clause constructions can follow seperti directly, so yang is not a universal requirement.

  3. Saya suka buah-buahan tropis, seperti mangga dan durian.

    I like tropical fruits, such as mango and durian.

    Word by Word: I like fruits tropical, like mango and durian.

    'Seperti' is used here to introduce specific examples of tropical fruits.

  4. Dia berlari cepat seperti macan.

    He runs fast like a tiger.

    Word by Word: He run fast like tiger.

    A classic comparison of speed using a noun phrase.

  5. Hari ini dia terlambat lagi, seperti biasa.

    Today he is late again, as usual.

    Word by Word: Day this he late again, like usual.

    'Seperti biasa' is a fixed expression meaning 'as usual'.

How It Connects

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sepertiLevel 2Similarity with Seperti

Learn This First

To use 'seperti' (like/as), you should first understand basic sentence structure and how to modify nouns. It is also helpful to be familiar with other ways of expressing similarity, such as 'sama dengan', as 'seperti' functions as a more flexible comparative particle.

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