keledai
/kələˈdai̯/
The Indonesian word for donkey is keledai.
The word refers to a domestic animal, specifically a donkey.
Meaning: a domestic animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/kələˈdai̯/
Did you know?
- The word keledai is a linguistic traveler that actually traces its roots back to the Tamil word kaḻutai.
- While keledai refers to the animal, it is almost never used as a slang insult in the same aggressive way 'ass' is used in English.
- Because donkeys are rare in Indonesia, using the word keledai in a metaphor for someone being stubborn might sound slightly foreign or literary to a local.
Examples in context
- Itu bukan kuda, itu keledai.That's not a horse, it's a donkey.This sentence is useful for showing how to use keledai to identify an animal.Tatoeba #11222386 by Pacific, translation #4008936 by JSakuragi
- Tom tidak tahu perbedaan antara bagal dan keledai.Tom doesn't know the difference between a mule and a donkey.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of keledai when distinguishing it from other animals.Tatoeba #11461936 by Pacific, translation #4278989 by shirlli
- Di negara ini, keledai sering digunakan sebagai hewan pekerja.In this country, donkeys are often used as working animals.
- Keledai ini sangat kuat dan bisa membantu menarik beban yang berat.This donkey is very strong and can help pull heavy loads.
- Ada seekor keledai di ladang itu.There is a donkey in that field.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimas and Maya are visiting a small zoo.
- DimasMaya, lihat keledai itu!Maya, look at that donkey!
- MayaWah, telinganya sangat panjang.Wow, its ears are very long.
- DimasApakah keledai itu lapar?Is the donkey hungry?
- MayaSepertinya begitu, Dimas.It seems so, Dimas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations and entries keledai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries keledai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
