waktu
/ˈwaktu/
The Indonesian word for time is waktu.
waktu is used to refer to the abstract concept or measurement of a quantity of time. You can use the phrase pada waktu to mean 'at the time' or 'during' a specific period. When discussing specific parts of the day, other indicators are used: pagi for morning, siang for midday, sore for afternoon and malam for night. To specify minutes relative to the hour, use lebih for minutes past the hour and kurang for minutes before the hour. The reduplicated form sewaktu-waktu means 'anytime', 'at any moment' or 'unexpectedly'.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While waktu refers to the abstract concept of time, the word jam is used when you are referring to specific hours or the physical clock.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈwaktu/
Did you know?
- The word waktu eventually displaced older native terms like lamaan and luangan to become the primary word for time.
- The word masa can also mean 'time', but it is often used to refer to larger 'eras' or 'periods' rather than daily time.
- Indonesian uses the word kurang, meaning 'less' or 'minus', to express minutes before the hour.
Examples in context
- Tom masih ada waktu.Tom still has some time.This sentence is useful for showing how to express having some time with waktu.Tatoeba #5026566 by amangimam, translation #5024667 by CK
- Dia masih punya waktu.He still has time.This sentence demonstrates how to express having time with waktu.Tatoeba #11872017 by Pacific, translation #11854981 by ddnktr
- Saya tidak punya waktu.I have no time.This sentence shows how to express having no time with waktu.Tatoeba #3362980 by dbahasa, translation #249910 by CK
- Pukul berapa sekarang?What time is it?
- Jam berapa sekarang?What is the time?
- Pukul tiga lewat sepuluh.It's ten past three.
- Jam sebelas lebih tujuh.It's seven minutes past eleven.
- Sekarang jam berapa?What time is it now?
- Udah jam berapa?What time is it already?
- Jam setengah dua.It's half past one.
- Jam lima pagi.It's five in the morning.
- Jam dua lebih limaIt's five past two.
- Jam tiga kurang sepuluhIt's ten to three.
- 163 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maya and Adi are discussing their schedules.
- MayaAdi, apakah kamu punya waktu luang besok?Adi, do you have any free time tomorrow?
- AdiSaya rasa saya ada waktu setelah jam dua.I think I have time after two o'clock.
- MayaBagus, kita butuh waktu untuk bicara.Great, we need time to talk.
- AdiOke, sampai jumpa besok, Maya.Okay, see you tomorrow, Maya.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry waktu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries waktu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
