Significado
Doing something that will cause a problem.
Contexto cultural
The term 'Gara-gara' is deeply tied to Javanese Wayang. It represents a period of chaos that must be passed before order is restored. Using the phrase implies the person is disrupting the cosmic balance. In Jakarta, the phrase is often shortened or modified to 'Nyari gara-gara'. It is used very frequently in the city's fast-paced, sometimes confrontational social environment. Indonesians value 'keeping face'. 'Cari gara-gara' is a way to tell someone they are making everyone lose face by being difficult. On Indonesian social media, 'cari gara-gara' is often used to describe 'clout chasing' through negative behavior.
Use it with 'Jangan'
The most common way to use this is as a warning: 'Jangan cari gara-gara!'
Not for accidents
Don't use this if someone makes a mistake by accident. It implies they wanted the trouble.
Significado
Doing something that will cause a problem.
Use it with 'Jangan'
The most common way to use this is as a warning: 'Jangan cari gara-gara!'
Not for accidents
Don't use this if someone makes a mistake by accident. It implies they wanted the trouble.
The 'Ya' ending
Adding 'ya' at the end ('Cari gara-gara ya?') makes it a rhetorical, slightly aggressive question.
Harmony is key
Remember that calling someone out for 'cari gara-gara' is a serious social critique in Indonesia.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the most natural phrase to complete the sentence.
Budi sedang mengganggu adiknya yang lagi tidur. Budi memang suka...
'Cari gara-gara' is the correct idiom for someone intentionally annoying others.
Fill in the missing word.
Jangan _____ gara-gara sama polisi!
The standard verb for this idiom is 'cari' (or 'mencari').
Match the situation to the response.
Someone is driving very fast and cutting people off.
'Cari gara-gara ya?!' is a common reaction to reckless driving.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Aku mau hapus semua file di komputer ini. B: Jangan! Kamu _____
Deleting files unnecessarily is a way to invite trouble.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosBudi sedang mengganggu adiknya yang lagi tidur. Budi memang suka...
'Cari gara-gara' is the correct idiom for someone intentionally annoying others.
Jangan _____ gara-gara sama polisi!
The standard verb for this idiom is 'cari' (or 'mencari').
Someone is driving very fast and cutting people off.
'Cari gara-gara ya?!' is a common reaction to reckless driving.
A: Aku mau hapus semua file di komputer ini. B: Jangan! Kamu _____
Deleting files unnecessarily is a way to invite trouble.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt can be. It's informal and direct. Use it with friends or to call out bad behavior, but avoid it in formal settings.
Yes, 'mencari' is the formal version. You'll see it in books, but in conversation, 'cari' is much more natural.
They are almost identical. 'Cari gara-gara' feels a bit more idiomatic and 'Indonesian', while 'cari masalah' is more literal.
No. On its own, it often means 'because of' (usually for something bad). Example: 'Gara-gara macet, saya telat.'
No, you must repeat the word: 'gara-gara'. Indonesian uses reduplication to change meanings.
Not really. 'Searching' for things in Indonesian idioms is usually neutral or negative (like 'cari muka').
You could say 'Dia sedang memancing konflik' or 'Dia sedang menimbulkan masalah'.
Yes! If someone is doing something very dangerous for no reason, you can say they are 'cari gara-gara' with death or injury.
Yes, 'cari fasal' is more common in Malaysia, but 'cari gara-gara' is understood.
People often say 'Nyari gara-gara' or 'Nyari perkara'.
Frases relacionadas
Cari masalah
synonymTo look for problems
Cari muka
similarTo brown-nose / seek attention
Bikin gara-gara
similarTo cause trouble
Pancing keributan
specialized formTo bait a commotion
Cari angin
contrastTo get some fresh air
Gara-gara
builds onBecause of
