Rumah Sakit, Kamar Mandi, Mata Hari: How Indonesian Builds Words Like LEGO Bricks

Here's a secret that will accelerate your learning: Indonesian builds vocabulary by combining simple words.

The Pattern

Rumah (House) Compounds

• Rumah sakit -- Sick house = Hospital
• Rumah makan -- Eating house = Restaurant
• Rumah tangga -- Stairway house = Household

Kamar (Room) Compounds

• Kamar mandi -- Bathing room = Bathroom
• Kamar tidur -- Sleeping room = Bedroom
• Kamar tamu -- Guest room = Living room

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Air (Water) Compounds

• Air panas -- Hot water
• Air dingin -- Cold water
• Air mata -- Eye water = Tears
• Air terjun -- Falling water = Waterfall

Mata (Eye) Compounds

• Mata hari -- Eye of the day = Sun
• Mata-mata -- Eye-eye = Spy
• Mata uang -- Eye of money = Currency

Food: The Goreng/Bakar/Rebus System

• Goreng (fried): nasi goreng, mie goreng, ayam goreng
• Bakar (grilled): ikan bakar, ayam bakar
• Rebus (boiled): telur rebus, mie rebus

The Orang (Person) System

• Orang tua -- Old person = Parents
• Orang asing -- Foreign person = Foreigner
• Orang hutan -- Forest person = Orangutan

Try It Yourself

• Jam tangan (clock + hand) = Wristwatch!
• Hari kerja (day + work) = Workday!
• Air laut (water + sea) = Seawater!

Explore more in our lesson modules!