5 Indonesian Idioms with ‘Angkat’

You speak Indonesian at intermediate to advance level and would like to improve your Indonesian proficiency to be heard more like natives? It could be the sign for you to start learning and using idioms in Bahasa Indonesia so that your speaking will sounds more engaging. By learning and understanding the use of Indonesian idioms, you will also have a bigger chance to understand journalism works; news, articles, podcats, in more easy way.

In Bahasa Indonesia lesson, we learn that idioms are constructed from two or more words which had denotative (real / literal) meaning. However, when they are used together in certain circumstances, the meaning of these words compound will be different and they will also be used in conotative way (in subtle differens meaning). Take an example in the word “angkat”, which literally means to lift or raise as in the sentence: “The students raise their hands.” In these five examples, we can see that the word “angkat” has been used differently.

Angkat Tangan

Means to give up. Imagine a situation where you have tried your best in doing a task, but then you face obstacles that makes you feel stucked or even rethink about all the actions you have taken so far. This situation could cause you to quit and stop yourself from moving forward, so then, you give up on finishing the task. Here is an example of the sentence:

Dokter Anton angkat tangan untuk menyembuhkan penyakit kanker Pak Mahmud.

Angkat Kaki

Means to walk out of a room or forum. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where dispute potentially happen, in which one of a part of the forum participants who feel to not be accommodated in the forum. In other daily situation, idiom ‘angkat kaki’ can be used to describe a situation when a person walk out of a room or a house following the dispute previously happen in the room.

Para peserta rapat yang tidak setuju angkat kaki dari ruangan.

Angkat Bicara

Means to speak up, especially done after a long silent over a happening issue or gossip in the public setting. In this situation, the speaker may break the silence by taking a side, or giving response to the current issue, by giving statements on how they feel about it and what potential actions they are planning to take in the future.

Presiden angkat bicara tentang situasi politik di Indonesia akhir-akhir ini.

Angkat topi

Means hat off or hat tipping. Giving a tribute and appreciation to someone’s effort in doing their part, or responding to a difficult situation by saying “angkat topi” is relatable to its English expression ‘hat off’ or ‘hat tipping’. It seems like Bahasa Indonesia adopt the international cultural aspect hidden behind this expression as ‘topi’ and tipping a hat is not part of the traditional culture.

Angkat topi untuk totalitas para pemain di Liga Djarum tadi malam.

Anak angkat

Means foster child. Other terms will follow this compound words construction, including: ibu angkat, ayah angkat, adik angkat, orang tua angkat, or kakak angkat. The term ‘anak angkat’ will be used to describe a situation where a child is not biologically born, but rather to be adopted from another family to be raised as their own child.

Rania adalah anak angkat di keluarga Pak Putu dan Bu Kadek

Is there any other Indonesian idiomatic expressions that you’ve ever heard or read? Write in the comment and let’s see if you also know the meaning and how to use it. It doesn’t have to include ‘angkat’ in the expression. Could be other conotatic Indonesian word compounds as well.

(dian).