penyihir
In Indonesian, the English phrase "witch" is translated as penyihir. Wiktionary also lists ahli sihir.
Meaning: person who uses magic (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indonesian |
|---|
| penyihir |
| ahli sihir |
The term penyihir is used to describe a practitioner of magic, such as a witch or a wizard. It is a gender-neutral noun, meaning it can refer to either a male or a female practitioner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ahli sihir is a compound noun where ahli means expert or specialist and sihir means magic or sorcery.
Which one should you use?
While ahli sihir emphasizes an expert or specialist in magic, penyihir is the more common and direct term for a witch or wizard.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun penyihir is derived from the root word sihir, which means magic or sorcery.
Did you know?
- In Indonesian culture, there is a distinction between a penyihir and a dukun. While a penyihir uses magic, a dukun is a traditional healer or shaman who is often viewed as a legitimate community figure.
- While penyihir is the common word for 'witch', the root sihir is often used in Indonesian to describe 'black magic' or deceptive illusions specifically, rather than general fantasy magic.
- The word ahli is used in many professional contexts, such as ahli bahasa for 'linguist', making a 'witch' literally a 'specialist of magic' in the same way a doctor is a specialist in medicine.
Examples in context
- Penyihir itu mengubahnya menjadi kecoak.The witch turned him into a cockroach.This sentence shows the use of penyihir to describe an action performed by a witch.Tatoeba #13667908 by HAGNi, translation #11741825 by Nuel
- Aku bukan penyihir.I'm not a witch.This sentence shows a simple negation using penyihir.Tatoeba #10675218 by HAGNi, translation #6873301 by CK
- Menurut penelitian, kaum penyihir dalam mitologi Indonesia sering digambarkan memiliki kekuatan gaib.According to research, witches in Indonesian mythology are often portrayed having supernatural powers.
- Nenek itu katanya seorang dukun yang bisa membuang sial.That grandma is said to be a witch who can remove bad luck.
- Dia percaya pada penyihir di hutan.He believes in witches in the forest.
Example conversation
Dimas and Maya are talking about a fantasy movie.
- DimasApakah tokoh itu seorang penyihir?Is that character a witch?
- MayaYa, dia penyihir yang sangat kuat.Yes, she is a very powerful witch.
- DimasMaya, apakah kamu takut pada penyihir?Maya, are you afraid of witches?
- MayaTidak, aku tidak takut.No, I am not afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “witch” translations and entries ahli sihir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
