rumput liar
The English word 'weed' (unwanted plant) is translated into Indonesian as rumput liar.
In Indonesian, rumput liar refers to unwanted plants or grass that grows uncontrollably in gardens or fields. Note that if you are referring to the drug marijuana in formal contexts or written language, the term ganja is used instead.
Meaning: unwanted plant (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of rumput, meaning grass and liar, meaning wild.
Which one should you use?
While rumput simply means grass, adding the word liar specifies that the grass is unwanted or growing uncontrollably.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone a liar (pronounced similarly to the English word for untruthful) is a common mistake for learners, but in Indonesian, it means 'wild' and has no relation to telling lies.
- The word liar is used for many things that are 'wild' or 'uncontrolled', such as 'wild animals' (hewan liar) or even 'wild behavior' in a person.
- If you want to describe a 'weed' that is particularly invasive or difficult to kill, Indonesians might use the term gulma, which is a more technical or agricultural term than rumput liar.
Examples in context
- Ada banyak rumput liar di taman.There are many weeds in the garden.
- Saya sedang mencabut rumput liar.I am pulling out weeds.
- Rumput liar ini tumbuh sangat cepat.This weed grows very fast.
Example conversation
Adi and Putri are cleaning the backyard together.
- AdiPutri, lihat banyak rumput liar di sini.Putri, look, there are many weeds here.
- PutriIya, kita harus membersihkannya sekarang.Yes, we have to clean them up now.
- AdiAku akan cabut rumput liar itu.I will pull those weeds.
- PutriTerima kasih, Adi.Thank you, Adi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weed” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
