Tag

Learn Indonesian

Blog, Indonesian Lesson

“Merubah” or “Mengubah?”

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah merubah diri saya.”

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah mengubah diri saya.”

Which one of these two sentences are correct? Before we’re discussing it in our Indonesian language lesson any further, pick your answer and keep it.

The word class

“merubah” and “mengubah” both begins with prefix “me-“. Do you remember the function of this prefix? Yes, it is to form active verbs and it could be either transitive or intransitive depending on the definition of its based word.

The base word

Now, let’s take a look on what’s the base words of these two verbs!

merubah = me- + rubah (fox)
etymologically, “merubah” could mean “to turn into a fox”
Well, actually we don’t use this kind of words that much in Indonesian text or conversation. So let’s say that the word “merubah” is following the word forming rules but not actively used. Another way to say it is: “menjadi rubah“, which is more a common expression. Sentence sample: “Penyihir itu menjadi rubah.”

image taken from www.smithplanet.com

mengubah = me- (ng) + ubah (to change/convert)
So, the verb “mengubah” means to change or alter something (could be a thing or a situation) into another thing (could be anything). Sentence sample: “Mesin itu mengubah air menjadi es.”—“The machine turns water into ice.”

Possible Mix Up

What makes this word mistake happen and it has become so commonly used? We thought about these reasons behind it.

mengubah vs berubah. Perhaps, Indonesian people in the past has confused these two verbs in their usage and the mistake has become habitual and widely spread. In Balinese speaking people, there’s even a variation of using “o” instead of “u”, so they will “berobah” and “merobah”, while the base word will be “robah”. That is completely wrong and is very common among elderly Indonesian speakers.

The sentence

The meaning of the sentence in the beginning of this article is: “Life in Indonesia has changed myself.” Therefore, the correct verb form to choose for the sentence is:

“Hidup di Indonesia sudah mengubah diri saya.”

Now it’s your turn to create your own Indonesian sentence using the verb “mengubah“! Leave it on the comment section below and we’ll see if you can get our today’s Indonesian lesson right. (dian)

Related posts
Why Do you Need to Learn Bahasa Indonesia?
December 13, 2020
Blog

Why Do you Need to Learn Bahasa Indonesia?

Looking for a new language to adopt? Some languages may become great candidates for your choices. But is learning Indonesian included in your current consideration? Whether or not you are planning on living or visiting Indonesia, we can assure you that taking an Indonesian language class will be very useful for you. And if you haven’t thought about it, read thoroughly these benefits of learning Bahasa Indonesia that you may get.

  1. Indonesian is an essential language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Rich with resources and breathtaking panorama, Indonesia’s geographic condition indirectly invites people to visit, travel, and invest in various businesses within the country. Considering this situation that you may face, learning Bahasa Indonesia is arguably important. And since many potential Indonesian citizens also live and work in Malaysia and Singapore, their closest neighbors, learning Bahasa Indonesia is an essential step to take, in order to connect with them easily.
  2. Bahasa Indonesia is simple and make sense. Many have said that Bahasa Indonesia is easy and effortless. To some extent, this statement could be true. But like you only sit and read book, then in a blink of eyes, you can master the language. Not at all. You still need some effort in memorizing words, using them in the right situation, and putting them in correct order. So what makes Bahasa Indonesia easy? Bahasa Indonesia is relatively simple in its structure. Subject + verb + object. Though, in some extended sentences or utterances, constructing a good Indonesian structure requires more tricks. Words in Indonesian language are also easily readable. These words are read the way the letters constructing them are pronounced. As a newly made language bridging the 700 local languages spreading across Indonesia, many vocabulary of Indonesian language are adapted and adopted from English, Dutch, Spanish, etc, which may sound familiar to you.
  3. Establishing an easier communication with Indonesian business partners and workers. If you are running a business in Indonesia, or even if you are only cooperating with Indonesian people in an international based business, a good communication will be a very valuable point to build strong foundation for what you do. Your Indonesian business partners or employees may be speaking fluent English. But if you are able to speak their language, you will understand what they say better, in term of cultural and linguistic setting. They may speak English perfectly, but their mother tongue will, more or less, affect the way they say things and what they are saying.
  4. Getting a better deal within the local merchant. Now let’s say you are enjoying relaxing retiring days in quiet islands within Indonesian archipelago. Or, perhaps you are living Indonesia for a retailing business. In all of these situations, speaking Indonesian well will benefit you. When you are negotiating with them in a good Bahasa Indonesia and proper Indonesian manner, they will get impression that you are paying attention to them, respecting them, and understanding their culture. They will feel closer to you and treat you better. Thus, they will be more than happy to give you a better deal.
  5. The key to have better access to unique Indonesian cultures. People of Indonesia live a life as modern world citizens. However, most of them – if not all, are also part of widely diverse cultural ethnics (different way of life, different religions, different traditions, different languages!). That’s why Bahasa Indonesia is highly required among people of Indonesia to communicate effectively. You, too, will be part of this community if you are able to speak Bahasa Indonesia and thus, unlock this vast interesting cultures across the archipelago through its people.
  6. Learning Indonesian can effectively train your brain. Research has it, that keeping your brain busy by learning something new, including a new language can help maintaining your brain’s health and performance. Taking an Indonesian language course can be an alternative for you. First of all, Bahasa Indonesia is relatively easy and simple to learn.

Have you learned Bahasa Indonesia now? How do you do your lesson? What advantages do you get from your current experience of acquiring Bahasa Indonesia as your new language? Share with us and let us know in the comment section.

Related posts
“Merubah” or “Mengubah?”
June 8, 2021