Kakak / Adik
Older Sibling / Younger Sibling
Indonesian doesn't have separate words for brother/sister — 'kakak' is any older sibling and 'adik' is any younger one. Age matters more than gender!
Learn "Older Sibling" and "Younger Sibling" in Indonesian with "Kakak" and "Adik." This unique feature of Bahasa Indonesia prioritizes age over gender in family terms, reflecting Indonesia's deep cultural respect for elders.
💬Example Sentences
Kakak saya tinggal di Bali.
My older sibling lives in Bali.
Saya punya dua adik.
I have two younger siblings.
Kak, tolong bantu saya!
Older sibling, please help me!
🏭Cultural Context
The kakak/adik distinction reveals a fundamental aspect of Indonesian culture: age hierarchy matters more than gender. This concept extends far beyond family. Indonesians will call any slightly older person "Kakak" (or "Kak") and any younger person "Adik" (or "Dik") — even strangers. At a restaurant, you might call a young waiter "Dik" or an older one "Kak" or "Mas." In Javanese culture, there are even more specific terms: "Mbak" for older sister, "Mas" for older brother. These titles create a warm, familial atmosphere in everyday interactions. When meeting someone new, Indonesians often ask each other's ages early in conversation — not to be nosy, but to know the proper way to address each other.