abu-abu
/ˌabu ˈabu/
The Indonesian word for 'grey' is abu-abu.
The word abu-abu is used to describe the color that is a mixture of black and white. In certain contexts, the root word abu may also mean 'ashes'.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a reduplication of abu, which means 'ash'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Indonesian, the color is expressed as a reduplicated word rather than a single root.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌabu ˈabu/
Did you know?
- In many Indonesian contexts, if you want to describe a color as 'dark grey', you would add the word tua (old) instead of using a word for 'dark'.
- To say 'light grey', Indonesians often use the word muda (young) rather than a word for 'light'.
- The term abu-abu is inherited from Malay, specifically the dialect of Batavia, which served as a linguistic melting pot in colonial Indonesia.
Examples in context
- Saya suka memakai baju berwarna abu-abu.I like wearing grey clothes.
- Pakai baju warna kelabu dong!Wear a grey-colored shirt, please!
- Lukisan ini menggunakan warna abu.This painting uses the color grey.
- Langit hari ini berwarna abu-abu.The sky today is grey.
- Saya suka memakai baju abu-abu.I like wearing a grey shirt.
- Kucing itu punya bulu abu-abu.That cat has grey fur.
Example conversation
Putri and Budi are looking at a new sofa in a store.
- PutriBudi, apakah kamu suka sofa ini?Budi, do you like this sofa?
- BudiWarnanya abu-abu, sangat bagus.It is grey, it is very nice.
- PutriIya, warna abu-abu cocok di ruang tamu.Yes, grey color suits the living room.
- BudiMari kita beli yang ini.Let's buy this one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abu-abu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abu-abu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
