tentang / mengenai

Topic Prepositions

Level 3

Both tentang and mengenai introduce a topic, meaning about or concerning. Tentang is broadly neutral; mengenai often fits formal wording. A specific topic can follow either word.

How It Works

In Indonesian, two useful words for introducing a topic are:

1. Tentang: This is a common way to say "about." It is used in almost all contexts, from casual chats to standard writing. In the topic construction taught here, it functions as a preposition.

  • Saya membaca buku tentang sejarah. (I am reading a book about history.)

2. Mengenai: This is a formal alternative. It is derived from the root kena with the meN- prefix and -i suffix. TBBI includes this form among derived prepositions. Its topic meaning need not describe a physical impact or direct effect. It is standard in legal, academic, and news contexts.

  • Peraturan mengenai pajak. (Regulations regarding taxes.)

Key Differences:

  • Register: Tentang is neutral; mengenai often suits formal wording but is not banned from conversation.
  • Literal Meaning: Mengenai can also mean "to hit" a target (e.g., a ball hitting a window), whereas tentang cannot.
  • Morphology: Tentang is a root; mengenai is a complex verb form.

Conversation: Ceritakan padaku mengenai harimu is grammatically formed. Tentang is a neutral alternative; appropriateness depends on the speaker and context rather than a rule banning mengenai with friends.

Examples (5)

  1. Kami sedang berbicara tentang rencana liburan.

    We are talking about holiday plans.

    Word by Word: We [progressive] speak about plan holiday.

    A neutral, everyday sentence using 'tentang' to introduce a general topic of conversation.

  2. Pemerintah mengeluarkan peraturan baru mengenai pajak impor.

    The government issued a new regulation regarding import taxes.

    Word by Word: Government issue regulation new regarding tax import.

    A formal sentence where 'mengenai' is used to specify the subject of a legal regulation.

  3. Bola itu mengenai kaca jendela hingga pecah.

    The ball hit the windowpane and broke it.

    Word by Word: Ball that hit glass window until break.

    Here, 'mengenai' is used in its literal verbal sense ('to hit'), where 'tentang' would be incorrect.

  4. Saya tidak tahu apa-apa tentang hal itu.

    I don't know anything about that matter.

    Word by Word: I not know anything about matter that.

    A common phrase using 'tentang' for a general lack of information.

  5. Laporan ini berisi informasi detail mengenai proyek tersebut.

    This report contains detailed information concerning that project.

    Word by Word: Report this contains information detail concerning project that.

    Mengenai introduces the project as the topic of the information. Detail comes from informasi detail, not an inherent guarantee of precision or objectivity in mengenai.

Common Mistakes

  • Stacking both prepositions together.

    Saya ingin bertanya tentang mengenai masalah ini.
    Saya ingin bertanya tentang masalah ini.

    In this simple topic phrase, choose tentang masalah ini or mengenai masalah ini. Stacking both topic markers does not form the intended single prepositional phrase.

  • Using 'tentang' to mean 'to hit' a target.

    Anak panah itu tentang sasaran.
    Anak panah itu mengenai sasaran.

    Only 'mengenai' (derived from 'kena') can function as a verb meaning to physically strike or hit something.

Words in This Pattern

tentangmengenai