bicara
/biˈt͡ʃara/
The Indonesian verb for to speak is bicara.
The term is used to express the ability to communicate in a language.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
Which one should you use?
berbicara is the standard formal verb, whereas bicara is often used as a shortened, more colloquial form in daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
berbicara is the formal version of bicara used in written Indonesian or polite speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the prefix ber- to bicara creates the formal intransitive verb berbicara.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈtʃara/
Did you know?
- The word bicara has deep roots in ancient India, as it is derived from the Sanskrit word vicāra, which originally meant 'thought' or 'deliberation'.
- In very formal or royal settings, the word bicara is replaced by specific honorific terms to show respect to the person being spoken to.
- While bicara is common, Indonesians may use ngomong in casual settings, a word derived from the Betawi dialect of Jakarta that has spread across the country.
Examples in context
- Kami perlu bicara dengan Anda.We need to speak with you.This sentence shows how to use bicara to express a need to speak with someone.Tatoeba #3508104 by orion17, translation #3183447 by CK
- Kamu bisa bicara bahasa apa saja?What languages do you speak?This sentence uses bicara to ask about the ability to speak different languages.Tatoeba #10647717 by HAGNi, translation #685840 by Zifre
- Jangan bicara dengan orang asing.Don't speak with foreign people.This sentence uses bicara to give a command regarding speaking with strangers.Tatoeba #14045825 by fadhil_riyanto, translation #14045175 by Ioan_Cristian
- Kami akan berbicara tentang masa depan perusahaan ini.We will speak about the future of this company.
- Saya ingin berbicara tentang masalah ini.I want to speak about this issue.
- Kami akan bicara dengan direktur perusahaan.We will speak with the company's director.
- Saya ingin bicara lebih jelas mengenai rencana tersebut.I want to speak more clearly about that plan.
- Mau ngomong apa?What do you want to speak about?
- Ayo ngomong lebih jujur.Let's speak more honestly.
- Aku lagi cerita tentang liburanku kemarin.I'm speaking about my vacation the other day.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Putri and Dimas are discussing their language skills at a cafe.
- PutriApakah kamu bisa bicara bahasa Jepang?Can you speak Japanese?
- DimasTidak, saya tidak bisa bicara bahasa itu.No, I cannot speak that language.
- PutriSayang sekali, padahal kamu pintar.That is a pity, even though you are smart.
- DimasTerima kasih, Putri.Thank you, Putri.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bicara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
