Significado
Someone who likes to steal
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Gotong Royong' (mutual cooperation) makes theft particularly offensive as it violates communal trust. Javanese culture values 'Alus' (refinement). Calling someone 'panjang tangan' is a way to describe a 'Kasar' (crude/bad) behavior without using vulgar language. In big cities like Jakarta, 'panjang tangan' is often used to describe office supply theft, which is a common complaint in corporate culture. Teachers use this idiom to teach moral values (Pendidikan Karakter) to young children.
Don't use for corruption
While it means stealing, Indonesians rarely use 'panjang tangan' for government corruption. Use 'korupsi' or 'tikus kantor' instead.
The 'Ringan' Contrast
Always learn 'panjang tangan' and 'ringan tangan' together. They are the most common hand-related idioms in Indonesian.
Significado
Someone who likes to steal
Don't use for corruption
While it means stealing, Indonesians rarely use 'panjang tangan' for government corruption. Use 'korupsi' or 'tikus kantor' instead.
The 'Ringan' Contrast
Always learn 'panjang tangan' and 'ringan tangan' together. They are the most common hand-related idioms in Indonesian.
Social Stigma
Be careful using this term about a specific person in public; it is a very serious accusation in Indonesian culture.
Memory Trick
Think of the 'Long Arm of the Law,' but in this case, it's the 'Long Hand of the Thief.'
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct idiom to complete the sentence.
Budi sering mengambil uang di meja temannya. Budi adalah orang yang...
'Panjang tangan' is the idiom for someone who steals.
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
Hati-hati dengan tasmu, di pasar ini banyak orang ______ tangan.
The idiom is 'panjang tangan'.
Match the idiom to the situation.
Situation: Someone helps an old lady cross the street vs. Someone takes a phone from a cafe table.
'Ringan tangan' is helpful; 'panjang tangan' is stealing.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kenapa kamu tidak suka dia?' B: 'Karena dia ______, kemarin pulpenku diambil lagi.'
The context of taking a pen indicates theft.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Panjang vs Ringan Tangan
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosBudi sering mengambil uang di meja temannya. Budi adalah orang yang...
'Panjang tangan' is the idiom for someone who steals.
Hati-hati dengan tasmu, di pasar ini banyak orang ______ tangan.
The idiom is 'panjang tangan'.
Situation: Someone helps an old lady cross the street vs. Someone takes a phone from a cafe table.
'Ringan tangan' is helpful; 'panjang tangan' is stealing.
A: 'Kenapa kamu tidak suka dia?' B: 'Karena dia ______, kemarin pulpenku diambil lagi.'
The context of taking a pen indicates theft.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is not vulgar, but it is a serious accusation. It's like calling someone a 'thief' in a slightly more descriptive way.
Yes, it's often used for children to teach them not to take things without asking.
The formal word is 'pencuri' (thief) or 'suka mencuri' (likes to steal).
Close, but 'panjang tangan' is more general. A kleptomaniac is always 'panjang tangan', but not every 'panjang tangan' person has a medical condition.
Yes, but 'panjang tangan' is the standard idiomatic word order.
No, 'panjang tangan' is always negative. The positive hand idiom is 'ringan tangan'.
A pickpocket is 'copet', but you can describe a copet as being 'panjang tangan'.
Yes, especially in 'clickbait' or informal news stories about petty theft.
No, that would be 'ringan tangan' in some specific contexts, or 'suka memukul'.
Not at all. It is still very common in modern Indonesian daily life.
Frases relacionadas
Ringan tangan
contrastHelpful or likes to work
Kaki tangan
similarAccomplice or henchman
Mencuri hati
similarTo steal someone's heart
Tikus kantor
specialized formCorrupt official (Office rat)
Gelap mata
similarTo lose one's temper/sanity
