menurut

According to with Menurut

Level 2

Menurut is the standard Malay way to say 'according to.' It is used to cite people, reports, or to follow rules and plans.

How It Works

The word menurut is formed by adding the meN- prefix to the root turut (which means 'to follow' or 'to join'). In Malay phonology, the 't' is dropped, resulting in menurut.

It functions in three main ways depending on the context:

1. As a Verb functioning as a Preposition meaning 'according to':

  • Attributing Information: Citing a person or document (e.g., Menurut laporan itu... (According to that report...)).
  • Expressing Viewpoints: Stating an opinion (e.g., Menurut saya... (In my opinion...)). Note that while menurut saya is common, standard formal Malay prefers pada pendapat saya (in my opinion) or pada pandangan saya (in my view). However, it is worth noting that menurut saya is the absolute standard and most common way to say 'in my opinion' in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), which learners frequently encounter in regional media.

Note on mengikut: When citing documents or rules, menurut and mengikut are interchangeable (e.g., menurut/mengikut laporan (according to the report)). For personal opinions, menurut saya is preferred; while sometimes heard in casual speech, mengikut saya (according to me) is non-standard for opinions.

2. As a Transitive Verb (Kata Kerja Transitif) meaning 'to follow or obey':

  • Obeying or Complying: Obeying orders or rules (e.g., menurut perintah (to obey orders)). Note the historical formal sign-off in official Malaysian correspondence: Saya yang menurut perintah (I who obey orders). This was officially abolished in 2018 and replaced with Saya yang menjalankan amanah (I who carry out the trust), but it remains culturally significant.
  • Fulfilling Requests: Granting or fulfilling a wish (e.g., menurut permintaan (to fulfill a request)).
  • Imitating or Following an Example: Following in someone's footsteps (e.g., menurut jejak langkah (to follow in the footsteps)).
  • Following Emotions or Desires: Giving in to feelings or impulses (e.g., menurut hawa nafsu (to give in to one's desires) or menurut kata hati (to follow one's heart)).
  • Depending on: Indicating that something varies based on factors (e.g., menurut keadaan (depending on the situation)).
  • Physical Following: Describing movement along a path (e.g., menurut jalan ini (following this road)). For physical following, mengikut is much more common in modern everyday Malay.

3. As an Adjective or Intransitive Verb meaning 'obedient' or 'compliant':

  • Describing Character: Used to describe someone who is obedient or easily follows instructions (e.g., Dia seorang budak yang menurut. (He is an obedient child.) or using the common collocation menurut kata, as in budak yang menurut kata (a child who follows instructions)). This also forms the common noun penurut (an obedient person, e.g., Dia seorang penurut. (He is an obedient person.)).

While highly frequent in formal registers, it is also the natural choice in polite conversation to qualify statements.

Examples (6)

  1. Menurut Puan Rohaya, Rashid sedang berjalan-jalan di taman.

    According to Ms. Rohaya, Rashid is taking a walk in the park.

    Word by Word: According to Mrs. Rohaya, Rashid currently walk-walk at park.

    Here, 'menurut' is used to attribute information to a specific person.

  2. Menurut saya, penggunaan internet mempunyai kebaikan dan keburukan.

    In my opinion, the use of the internet has advantages and disadvantages.

    Word by Word: According to me, usage internet have good and bad.

    While 'menurut saya' is widely used to introduce a personal viewpoint, standard formal Malay prefers 'pada pendapat saya' or 'pada pandangan saya'.

  3. Sebagai pekerja, kita harus menurut perintah ketua.

    As employees, we must obey the boss's orders.

    Word by Word: As worker, we must follow order boss.

    In this context, 'menurut' functions as an active transitive verb meaning to obey or comply with an order.

  4. Bapa sentiasa menurut permintaan anak bongsunya.

    The father always fulfills his youngest child's requests.

    Word by Word: Father always follow request child youngest-his.

    Here, 'menurut' is used as an active verb meaning to fulfill or grant a request.

  5. Dia mahu menurut jejak langkah abangnya menjadi seorang doktor.

    He wants to follow in his older brother's footsteps to become a doctor.

    Word by Word: He want follow trail step older-brother-his become a person doctor.

    This demonstrates 'menurut' used to mean imitating or following an example, often seen in the idiom 'menurut jejak langkah'.

  6. Harga barang itu berubah menurut keadaan.

    The price of the item changes depending on the situation.

    Word by Word: Price item that change according situation.

    The phrase 'menurut keadaan' is a common way to say 'depending on the situation' or 'according to circumstances'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the longer 'menurut pendapat saya' when 'menurut saya' is enough.

    Menurut pendapat saya, dia sangat rajin.
    Menurut saya, dia sangat rajin.

    Both are correct and common. 'Menurut saya' is shorter. 'Pada pendapat saya' is another way to say it.

  • Failing to drop the 't' in the root word.

    menturut
    menurut

    When the meN- prefix is added to a root starting with 't', the 't' must be elided. Saying 'menturut' is a common phonological error for beginners.

How It Connects

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

menurutLevel 2According to with Menurut

Learn This First

To understand 'menurut', learners should be familiar with the 'men-' prefix allomorph used for verbs starting with 't'. Additionally, since 'menurut' is primarily used to introduce a source or opinion, knowledge of personal pronouns and the third-person suffix '-nya' is necessary to form common phrases like 'in my opinion' or 'according to them'.

Words in This Pattern

menurut