mengatakan
To say in Indonesian is mengatakan.
The verb is used to communicate something verbally or in writing.
Meaning: to communicate verbally or in writing (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word mengatakan is formed from the root kata (word) with the prefix me- and the suffix -kan, which functions to make the verb transitive.
Which one should you use?
While mengatakan is used for stating a fact or a specific piece of information, bilang is the standard colloquial choice for general speech. Alternatively, berkata is an intransitive form used to describe the act of speaking or saying something without necessarily focusing on the object being said.
How does it change in a sentence?
mengatakan is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, such as a thing being said. In casual conversation, the word bilang is much more common than mengatakan.
Did you know?
- In very formal or poetic Indonesian, the act of saying or speaking is often replaced by berfirman if the speaker is a deity or a royal figure, as mengatakan would be considered too common.
- The word kata shares a root with the Sanskrit word katha, meaning 'story' or 'tale', reflecting the deep influence of ancient Indian languages on Indonesian vocabulary.
- Because Indonesian does not use verb conjugation for tense, mengatakan stays the same whether you 'said' it yesterday or 'will say' it tomorrow.
Examples in context
- Mengapa kamu mengatakan itu?Why do you say that?The first sentence is useful for asking why someone said something using mengatakan.Tatoeba #3864910 by orion17, translation #36442 by CK
- Aku tidak bisa mengatakan itu.I can't say that.The second sentence is useful for expressing an inability to say something using mengatakan.Tatoeba #3493790 by orion17, translation #1954824 by CK
- Aku mengatakan itu setiap saat.I say that all the time.The third sentence is useful for describing a repeated action using mengatakan.Tatoeba #10964262 by HAGNi, translation #5014104 by AlanF_US
- Katakan padanya bahwa pertemuan akan diundurkan.Say to him/her that the meeting will be postponed.
- Saya ingin Anda mengatakan ini langsung kepada bos.I want you to say this directly to the boss.
- Bilang pada dia kalau kita akan datang nanti malam.Say to him/her that we will come later tonight.
- Kasih tahu mereka supaya tidak lupa membawa jas hujan.Tell them not to forget to bring raincoats.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimas and Putri are talking about a message from a friend.
- DimasApa yang dia katakan padamu?What did he say to you?
- PutriDia mengatakan bahwa dia akan datang.He said that he is coming.
- DimasApakah dia mengatakan hal itu kemarin?Did he say that yesterday?
- PutriTidak, dia baru saja mengatakannya.No, he just said it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
