lebih
In Indonesian, 'more' is translated as lebih.
lebih is used as an adverb to form the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs. For example, the phrase Lebih banyak can be used to translate 'more' when you want to emphasize quantity or express an increase. Additionally, the idiom kurang lebih is used to mean 'more or less' or 'approximately'.
Which one should you use?
While lebih functions as 'more' for adjectives (such as in lebih besar for 'bigger'), you must use lebih banyak when referring to a greater quantity of uncountable or countable nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the comparative lebih (more) into the superlative 'most', you typically replace lebih with paling before the adjective.
Did you know?
- In Indonesia, lebih is used when telling time to indicate minutes past the hour, such as jam dua lebih sepuluh menit for 'ten past two'.
- When paying for something in a market, you will often hear lebih used to describe the 'change' or 'surplus' money returned to the buyer.
- The Indonesian word lebih has distant linguistic relatives in the Philippines, such as the Tagalog word labì, which refers to 'fragments' or 'remnants'.
Examples in context
- Aku mau lebih banyak.I want a lot more.This sentence is useful for using the form lebih.Tatoeba #3472505 by orion17, translation #30504 by CK
- Lebih nyaman di luar.It's more comfortable outside.This sentence shows how to use lebih.Tatoeba #12093833 by Pacific, translation #12093831 by shekitten
- Ia kurang lebih mabuk.He was more or less drunk.This sentence demonstrates the idiom using lebih.Tatoeba #10716405 by arozian, translation #288991 by Dejo
- Silakan tambah gula sedikit lagiPlease add a little more sugar
- Usaha kami bertambah maju setiap tahunOur business is progressively getting more successful every year
- 144 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rian and Maya are comparing two different-sized bags in a shop.
- RianTas ini lebih besar.This bag is bigger.
- MayaTapi harganya lebih mahal.But the price is more expensive.
- RianBenar, Maya.True, Maya.
- MayaAku mau yang lebih murah saja.I just want the cheaper one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lebih, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
