Anak / Anak-anak
Child / Children
To make plurals in Indonesian, just repeat the word! 'Anak' = child, 'anak-anak' = children. It's that simple!
Learn "Child" and "Children" in Indonesian with "Anak" and "Anak-anak." Discover the elegant simplicity of Bahasa Indonesia plurals — just repeat the word! This pattern is one of the features that makes Indonesian one of the easiest Asian languages to learn.
💬Example Sentences
Saya punya dua anak.
I have two children.
Anak-anak bermain di taman.
The children play in the park.
Anak saya umur lima tahun.
My child is five years old.
🏭Cultural Context
Word repetition for plurals is one of Indonesian's most elegant features. "Anak-anak" (children), "orang-orang" (people), "rumah-rumah" (houses) — the pattern is universal and has no exceptions. Children hold a special place in Indonesian society. Indonesians adore children, and it is common for strangers to interact warmly with your kids, touch their hair, or want to take photos — this is meant with pure affection. Family sizes vary across Indonesia, but children are considered a blessing, and the question "sudah punya anak?" (do you have children?) is a common and well-meaning conversation topic. If you don't have children, a simple "belum" (not yet) is the expected polite response.