Indonesian

Particle

adalah

1. (predicate marker) am, is, are, was, were

   Dia adalah mahasiswa.

   He/she is a university student.

Usage notes

Adalah is a connector word which is often used like the English verb “to be”. It can be used for first person, second person or third person. Compare this with ialah, which has the same meaning but can only be used with third person.

Example:

• Kerjanya menarik mahasiswa — His work attracts students.
• Kerjanya adalah menarik mahasiswa — His job is to attract students.

Related terms

• ialah

Malay

Pronunciation

• (Johor-Selangor) IPA^(key): /adəlah/
• (Riau-Lingga) IPA^(key): /adalah/
• Rhymes: -əlah, -lah, -ah

Particle

adalah

1. (predicate marker) am, is, are, was, were

   Ini adalah benar.

   This is true.

Usage notes

Adalah is a connector word which is often used like the English verb “to be”. It can be used only before prepositions, postpositions or adjectives, and never for verbs. Compare this with ialah, which has the same meaning but can only be used before nouns.

Example:

• Ini benar — This is true.
• Ini adalah benar mahasiswa — This is true of students.

Related terms

• ialah