bertahun-tahun
The English phrase "years" can be translated into Indonesian as bertahun-tahun.
bertahun-tahun is used to describe a long period of time consisting of many years. It is specifically used to emphasize the length of time passed, often implying that the duration was significant or noteworthy.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the root tahun (year) with the prefix ber- (to have/possess) and reduplication, which indicates plurality and a continuous duration. Literally, it means "for years" or "for many years".
Which one should you use?
While tahun alone means "year" or "years" as a count, the reduplicated form bertahun-tahun is used to express an indefinite, long duration of many years. Additionally, if you wish to say "annual", use tahunan and if you are referring to an event that has occurred since a particular year, use sejak tahun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The reduplicated form bertahun-tahun is used to express an indefinite, long duration of many years.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Javanese contexts, people use a five-year cycle called windu, which serves as a larger unit of time than the standard tahun.
- Indonesian has a separate word for the 'calendar year' (tahun masehi) and the 'Islamic lunar year' (tahun hijriah), as both are used in official and social contexts.
- While bertahun-tahun emphasizes a long duration, Indonesian uses similar reduplication for other time units, such as berhari-hari for 'days' and berbulan-bulan for 'months', to convey the same feeling of tediousness or length.
Examples in context
- Aku bertahun-tahun tinggal di sana.I lived there for years.This sentence is useful for expressing the duration of living in a location using bertahun-tahun.Tatoeba #5257350 by Bilmanda, translation #4980038 by CK
- Sudah bertahun-tahun kami saling kenal.We have known each other for years.This sentence is useful for expressing how long people have known each other using bertahun-tahun.Tatoeba #4128314 by Bilmanda, translation #249085 by CK
- Tuan Soarez adalah temanku selama bertahun-tahun.Mr. Soarez has been my close friend for years.This sentence is useful for describing a long-term friendship using bertahun-tahun.Tatoeba #4295813 by Bilmanda, translation #1477438 by CN
- Pada tahun 1998In the year 1998
- Sejak tahun 2000Since the year 2000
- Tahun laluLast year
- Tahun ini, aku telah belajar bahasa Indonesia selama dua tahun.This year, I have been studying Indonesian for two years.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Budi and Maya are talking about an old school friend.
- MayaApakah kamu sudah bertahun-tahun tidak bertemu dia?Have you not seen him for years?
- BudiIya, sudah bertahun-tahun sejak lulus sekolah.Yes, it has been years since graduation.
- MayaWaktu berlalu sangat cepat ya.Time flies so fast, doesn't it?
- BudiBenar sekali, Maya.That's very true, Maya.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
