se-
As ... as with Se-
The se- equative is a prefix used to compare two things that are equal in degree. It translates to 'as... as' in English.
How It Works
In Malay, the equative degree (expressing that two things are the same) is most formally formed by adding the prefix se- directly to an adjective.
1. Morphological Stability:
Unlike other prefixes like meN-, the se- prefix is stable. It does not change its form based on the first letter of the root word. For example:
- se- + indah = seindah (as beautiful as)
- se- + tinggi = setinggi (as tall as)
- se- + pandai = sepandai (as clever as)
2. Sentence Structure:
The pattern follows the structure: [Subject] + [se-Adjective] + [Object of Comparison]. Note that in formal Malay, you do not need a preposition like 'dengan' (with) after the se- adjective.
3. Register and Usage:
This form is very common in literature and formal writing. In casual conversation, speakers might use sama ... dengan instead, but se- remains a vital part of standard proficiency.
Examples (4)
- Rumah Ali sebesar rumah Ahmad.
Ali's house is as big as Ahmad's house.
Word by Word: House Ali as-big house Ahmad.
Here, 'sebesar' compares the size of the two houses directly.
- Wajah Sujinah secantik ibunya.
Sujinah's face is as beautiful as her mother's.
Word by Word: Face Sujinah as-beautiful mother-her.
The prefix 'se-' is attached to 'cantik' (beautiful) to show equality.
- Buku ini tidak semahal buku itu.
This book is not as expensive as that book.
Word by Word: Book this not as-expensive book that.
Using 'tidak' before the se- adjective creates a negative comparison.
- Gunung itu setinggi awan.
That mountain is as high as the clouds.
Word by Word: Mountain that as-high cloud.
This is a common figurative use to describe a high degree of a quality.
Common Mistakes
Adding 'dengan' after the se- adjective.
Dia sepandai dengan abangnya.Dia sepandai abangnya.In formal Malay, the se- prefix already implies the comparison; adding 'dengan' (with) is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
Using a nasal form of se- (sempandai).
sempandaisepandaiThe prefix se- never changes with the root's first letter. It always stays 'se-', so the word is 'sepandai'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the 'se- equative' pattern, you need to know how adjectives function in Malay and how to identify the root adjective. It is also helpful to understand the basic 'sama ... dengan' construction for equality, as 'se-' serves as a more compact prefix-based alternative to express the same 'as ... as' relationship.
- sama ... denganEquality with Sama ... Dengan
This is the more common way to express equality (as ... as), providing the conceptual foundation for the more concise se- prefix form.
Level 2 - diaThird-person Dia
The se- equative is frequently used with pronouns (e.g., sebaik dia) to compare a quality to a person.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- lebih ... daripadaComparative with Lebih
Used for the comparative degree (more than) instead of the equative degree (as as).
Level 2 - tidak se-...Negative Equality
The negative form used to say something is 'not as... as'.
Level 3 - sepertiSimilarity with Seperti
Used to show similarity ('like') rather than a specific degree of an adjective.
Level 2 - sangat + AdjectiveHigh Degree with Sangat
Used to intensify an adjective without comparing it to something else.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice se- in Bubblegum
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