Bedeutung
Referring to a legal trial
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the Dutch influence on the Indonesian legal system. Even though Indonesia has been independent for decades, many legal terms and concepts remain rooted in the Dutch Civil Law tradition. Indonesian news media loves dramatic idioms. 'Meja hijau' is often paired with 'diseret' (dragged) to create a sense of justice being served to powerful figures. In many Indonesian communities, going to the 'meja hijau' is seen as a failure of 'kekeluargaan' (family-like harmony). People often try to settle things through a 'mediator' or village head first. Courtroom dramas are a staple of Indonesian soap operas. The 'meja hijau' is where the 'antagonis' (villain) finally gets their comeuppance.
Use with 'Ke'
When you want to say 'to court', always use 'ke meja hijau'.
Not for Furniture
Avoid using this to describe a literal green table unless you want to sound like you're making a pun.
Bedeutung
Referring to a legal trial
Use with 'Ke'
When you want to say 'to court', always use 'ke meja hijau'.
Not for Furniture
Avoid using this to describe a literal green table unless you want to sound like you're making a pun.
Journalistic Flair
Use this in your Indonesian writing to sound more like a native speaker or a journalist.
Last Resort
Remember that mentioning 'meja hijau' in a personal dispute is a very strong escalation.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
Karena tidak mau damai, mereka membawa kasus ini ke ____.
The context of 'tidak mau damai' (not wanting peace/settlement) implies a legal trial, which is 'meja hijau'.
What does 'meja hijau' mean in this sentence: 'Tersangka itu akan diseret ke meja hijau'?
The sentence means...
In this context, 'diseret ke meja hijau' is a common idiom for being prosecuted.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Apakah masalah hutang itu sudah selesai?' B: 'Belum, sepertinya kami harus menyelesaikannya di ____.'
Debt disputes that aren't settled privately often go to court.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A journalist is writing a headline about a politician going to trial.
Journalists frequently use 'meja hijau' for trial-related headlines.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Literal vs. Figurative
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKarena tidak mau damai, mereka membawa kasus ini ke ____.
The context of 'tidak mau damai' (not wanting peace/settlement) implies a legal trial, which is 'meja hijau'.
The sentence means...
In this context, 'diseret ke meja hijau' is a common idiom for being prosecuted.
A: 'Apakah masalah hutang itu sudah selesai?' B: 'Belum, sepertinya kami harus menyelesaikannya di ____.'
Debt disputes that aren't settled privately often go to court.
A journalist is writing a headline about a politician going to trial.
Journalists frequently use 'meja hijau' for trial-related headlines.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot usually. Most modern Indonesian courtrooms use dark wood tables. The 'green' is purely symbolic and historical.
Yes, divorce proceedings in court are often referred to as being handled at the 'meja hijau'.
No, it is a formal idiom. It is used in newspapers and by officials, but it is also understood by everyone.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'kekeluargaan' (settling as a family) is the alternative approach.
Only if you are discussing law or a legal case. Otherwise, it might sound out of place.
It comes from the Dutch tradition of covering official tables with green baize cloth.
Yes, but it is much more common and iconic in Indonesia.
No, you must use it as a noun phrase with a verb like 'membawa' or 'menyeret'.
Not necessarily, but the verb 'menyeret' (drag) often implies the person is a suspect or wrongdoer.
It can be, but it usually implies a more formal, serious trial.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Jalur hukum
similarThe legal path/process
Pengadilan
synonymCourt
Meja bundar
contrastRound table (discussion)
Vonis
builds onVerdict
Saksi kunci
similarKey witness
