Reduplication

 Reduplication is a process of repeating a word, either wholly or partially. This process is very productive and it shows a number of characteristics. It is used to express various grammatical functions such as verbal aspect and some showing complex models.

A wide use of reduplication is one of the most prominent grammatical features of the Indonesian languages. To some this sounds like a child language (hula-hula, caca).

Reduplication With Affixes

Some words are reduplicated with affixes. Most of reduplication with affixes is verbs and adjectives.Reduplication of nouns with affixes is limited to the suffix -an.

ber-

Dia berjalan-jalan ke pasar. Gedung itu bertingkat-tingkat.

He takes a stroll to the market. The building has many storeys.

me-

Kalau mandi saya suka menyanyi-nyanyi. Dia meraba-raba dalam gelap.

While bathing, I like to sing. He is groping in the dark.

The other type of reduplication with prefix me- is usually a verb but maybe a nominal:

Mereka saling pandang memandang. Kita harus saling tolong-menolong. Dia sangat ahli dalam tari-menari.

They looked at each other. We have to help each other. She is an expert on dancing.

ter-

Mereka tertawa-tawa mendengar berita gebira itu. Pria itu tergila-gila pada wanita berkulit putih.

They laughed and laughed upon hearing the good news. That man is crazy about the woman with fair skin.

ber- -an

Murid-murid sedang berkejar-kejaran di halaman sekolah. Kami bersalam-salaman sebelum berpisah.

The pupils are chasing each other in the school yard. We shake each other’s hand before we parted.

ke- -an

Usianya sudah dua puluh tapi masih kekanak-kanakan. Airnya jernih kebiru-biruan.

He is twenty years old but he is stillchildish. The water is clear, slightly blue.

se-

Sekonyong-konyong di memukul saya. Saya akan berusaha sebaik-baiknya.

All of sudden he hits me. I will try my best.

-an

sayur-sayuran mobil-mobilan cubit-cubitan kucing-kucingan

variety of vegetables toy cars pinching each other hide and seek