zebra
/ˈzebra/
The Indonesian word for zebra is zebra.
This term refers to the African animal known as a zebra.
Meaning: African animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While zebra is the standard term, the phrase Kuda belang-belang is used as a playful, informal way to describe a striped horse.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzebra/
Did you know?
- The term belang can also be used to describe someone who is 'two-faced' or lacks consistency in a metaphorical sense.
- The phrase kuda belang-belang uses reduplication of belang to emphasize the repetition of the stripes across the animal's body.
- The word zebra in Indonesian is a loanword from Dutch, which is why it shares the exact same spelling as the English word.
Examples in context
- Ada seekor zebra di kebun binatang.There is a zebra in the zoo.
- Zebra itu memiliki garis hitam dan putih.The zebra has black and white stripes.
- Saya ingin melihat zebra secara langsung.I want to see a zebra in person.
Example conversation
Budi and Putri are visiting the zoo.
- PutriPutri, lihat itu ada zebra!Putri, look, there is a zebra!
- PutriWah, zebra itu lucu sekali.Wow, that zebra is very cute.
- BudiWarna badannya sangat unik ya.The color of its body is very unique, right?
- PutriIya, aku suka melihat zebra.Yes, I love looking at zebras.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zebra” translations and entries zebra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zebra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
