diam
The Indonesian phrase for "shut up" is diam.
The word is used to command someone to stop talking. Using Diam! as a single-word command is a direct way to ask someone to stop, but it is blunt and can be perceived as rude or aggressive.
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word diam literally means to be silent, quiet or still.
Which one should you use?
While diam focuses on the person being silent, the phrase Jangan berisik focuses on the noise level being too high, translating to "Don't be noisy."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using diam as a command is considered informal. To create a more formal or emphatic imperative form, often found in literature or formal instructions, you can use the form Diamlah.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -lah to diam creates the form Diamlah, which serves as a more formal or emphatic imperative.
Did you know?
- The phrase diam-diam is a common reduplication that means 'secretly' or 'on the sly' rather than just being quiet.
- The Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root of diam is *hidəm, which originally carried the sense of keeping something 'secret'. This suggests that silence is conceptually linked to holding onto hidden information.
- In Indonesian culture, a command like diam can be softened by adding a polite particle or using a gentle tone, as the bluntness depends heavily on the speaker's social rank.
Examples in context
- Diam!Shut up!This example shows how to use diam as a command.Tatoeba #1541678 by menyo, translation #462430 by lukaszpp
- Tolong diam sebentar.Please be quiet for a moment.
- Kamu diam saja!Just shut up!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing while their mother is sleeping.
- DimasBerisik sekali, diam!So noisy, shut up!
- SariAku tidak bicara apa-apa.I am not saying anything.
- DimasPokoknya kamu diam.Just shut up, anyway.
- SariIya, aku diam.Fine, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diam, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
