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A1 noun 10 min de lectura

lima

The number five

At the A1 level, 'lima' is introduced as one of the basic cardinal numbers from 1 to 10. Learners are expected to use it for simple counting of objects (lima apel, lima buku), stating their age (umur saya lima tahun), and basic time-telling (jam lima). The focus is on correct pronunciation—ensuring the 'i' is not pronounced as a diphthong—and understanding that the noun following 'lima' does not need to be pluralized. Vocabulary at this level is concrete and immediate, dealing with shopping, family members, and basic daily routines.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'lima' in more complex daily interactions. This includes using 'lima' with common classifiers like 'orang' (people), 'ekor' (animals), and 'buah' (objects) in a way that sounds more natural, though still simple. Learners at this level should be comfortable using 'lima' in the context of Indonesian currency (lima ribu, lima puluh ribu) and bargaining at a basic level. They also start using 'kelima' to indicate order (anak kelima) and 'berlima' to describe small groups (kami pergi berlima).

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At the B1 level, 'lima' appears in broader contexts such as giving directions (lima ratus meter lagi), describing schedules, and participating in more detailed conversations about hobbies or work. The learner should understand the difference between 'lima belas' (15) and 'lima puluh' (50) in fast-paced listening tasks. They also begin to encounter 'lima' in fixed phrases and simple idioms. The use of 'seperlima' (one-fifth) for basic fractions and percentages also becomes relevant as the learner starts to describe data or recipes.

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At the B2 level, 'lima' is used in more formal and abstract discussions. Learners should be familiar with the 'Pancasila' and be able to name or at least describe the significance of the 'lima sila'. They use 'lima' in professional contexts, such as 'rencana lima tahun' (five-year plan) or in statistical reports. The nuance of using 'panca-' as a prefix in formal vocabulary (e.g., pancaragam, pancawarna) is introduced. The learner can also handle more complex idiomatic expressions involving the number five and can distinguish between formal and informal registers involving the word.

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At the C1 level, the learner explores the historical and etymological roots of 'lima', understanding its connection to the Proto-Austronesian word for 'hand'. They can use 'lima' and its derivatives in literary analysis, high-level political discourse, and academic writing. The learner is expected to have a mastery of all collective and ordinal forms, including 'kelima-limanya' (all five of them) and 'berlima-lima' (in groups of five). They can also use 'lima' in sophisticated metaphors and understand subtle cultural references in Indonesian cinema or literature.

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At the C2 level, 'lima' is mastered in all its philosophical and symbolic depth. The learner can discuss the numerological significance of five in various Indonesian regional cultures (such as the 'Kliwon, Legi, Pahing, Pon, Wage' five-day Javanese market cycle). They can navigate archaic texts where 'lima' might appear in older spelling or in Sanskrit-heavy contexts. The learner's usage of 'lima' is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the ability to use it in puns, wordplay, and complex legal or philosophical arguments regarding the 'lima dasar negara'.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

lima en 30 segundos

Lima is the standard Indonesian word for the number five, used in all contexts from counting objects to telling time and handling money.
Grammatically, it precedes the noun and does not require the noun to be pluralized, making it very simple for English speakers to learn.
It has a formal Sanskrit-based variant, 'panca', used in state ideology (Pancasila) and academic compound words like 'pancawarna' (five-colored).
Derivatives include 'kelima' (fifth) and 'berlima' (the five of us), which are essential for describing order and collective groups in daily life.

The Indonesian word lima is the cardinal number for 'five'. At its most basic level, it is one of the first words any learner of Bahasa Indonesia encounters, serving as a fundamental building block for counting, commerce, and daily communication. Beyond its mathematical value, lima holds deep cultural significance in Indonesia, most notably as the count for the Pancasila (The Five Principles), which is the foundational philosophical theory of the Indonesian state. In everyday life, you will use this word constantly: when ordering five skewers of satay, when telling someone it is five o'clock, or when discussing a child who is five years old.

Cardinal Utility: In Indonesian, lima is used directly before a noun to quantify it. Unlike some languages that require complex pluralization, Indonesian remains simple: you just place the number before the object. For example, 'lima buku' means 'five books'.
Symbolic Weight: The number five is ubiquitous in Indonesian structure, from the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) followed by the majority of the population to the five daily prayers (Salat lima waktu). Understanding 'lima' is the key to understanding the rhythm of Indonesian life.

"Saya membeli lima buah jeruk di pasar tadi pagi."

Translation: I bought five oranges at the market this morning.

In terms of register, lima is used across all levels of society. Whether you are in a high-level government meeting discussing the 'Lima Tahun' (Five Year) development plan or bargaining at a street stall for 'lima ribu' (five thousand) rupiah, the word remains the same. It does not have a formal or informal variant, making it incredibly stable for learners. However, its pronunciation is key; the 'i' is a sharp 'ee' sound as in 'see', and the 'a' is an open 'ah' sound as in 'father'.

"Pancasila terdiri dari lima dasar negara Indonesia."

Translation: Pancasila consists of five national foundations of Indonesia.

Financial Context: The 5,000 IDR note is a very common denomination. You will frequently hear 'lima ribu' in small transactions. If someone says 'goceng' in the Jakarta dialect (Betawi/Chinese influence), they are also referring to five thousand.

When discussing time, 'lima' is crucial. 'Jam lima' means five o'clock. If you are five minutes late, you would say 'terlambat lima menit'. The simplicity of the word belies its absolute necessity in navigating Indonesian space and time. It is a word that anchors the learner in physical reality—counting objects, paying for goods, and keeping appointments.

"Anak itu baru berusia lima tahun tapi sudah bisa membaca."

Translation: That child is only five years old but can already read.

Using lima in a sentence is relatively straightforward compared to European languages, but there are nuances regarding classifiers and word order that can make your Indonesian sound more natural. In the most basic sense, the number comes before the noun. If you want to say 'five houses', you say 'lima rumah'. However, in formal Indonesian, we often use 'kata bantu bilangan' (classifiers or counters). For humans, we use orang; for animals, we use ekor; and for general objects, we use buah.

With Classifiers: Structure: [Number] + [Classifier] + [Noun]. Example: 'Lima orang guru' (Five teachers). In casual speech, the classifier is often dropped, resulting in 'lima guru'.
Ordinal Numbers: To turn 'five' into 'fifth', you add the prefix ke-. Thus, 'kelima' means 'fifth'. Example: 'Anak kelima' (The fifth child).

"Ada lima ekor kucing yang sedang tidur di teras rumah saya."

Translation: There are five cats sleeping on my house porch.

When specifying time, 'lima' can refer to the hour or the minutes. 'Jam lima lewat lima menit' means five past five. In mathematical contexts, 'lima' is used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 'Lima tambah lima adalah sepuluh' (Five plus five is ten). It is also used in fractions: 'seperlima' means one-fifth.

"Dia sudah menunggu selama lima jam di bandara."

Translation: He has been waiting for five hours at the airport.

Collective Numbers: Using the prefix ber- creates a collective meaning. 'Berlima' means 'the five of us/them' or 'as a group of five'. Example: 'Kami pergi berlima' (The five of us went together).

In business and formal writing, 'lima' is often written as a word for numbers one through ten, and as a numeral (5) for numbers above ten, following a similar convention to English. However, in Indonesian legal documents, you will often see both: '5 (lima)'. This ensures there is no ambiguity in the amount specified.

"Tolong ambilkan lima lembar kertas dari laci itu."

Translation: Please get five sheets of paper from that drawer.

You will hear lima in almost every interaction in Indonesia, but certain contexts are more prevalent. The most common is undoubtedly in the marketplace. Indonesian currency, the Rupiah, has many zeros. You will hear 'lima ribu' (5,000), 'lima puluh ribu' (50,000), and 'lima ratus ribu' (500,000) constantly. Street food vendors (pedagang kaki lima) are a staple of Indonesian culture. The term 'kaki lima' (five feet) refers to the width of the sidewalk where they traditionally set up, or alternatively, the three wheels of the cart plus the two legs of the vendor.

Religious Life: In the call to prayer (Adzan) and religious discussions, 'lima waktu' refers to the five mandatory daily prayers in Islam. This phrase is a cornerstone of the daily schedule for millions of Indonesians.
National Identity: In schools and official ceremonies, you will hear 'Pancasila'. Each of the 'lima sila' (five principles) is recited, emphasizing the role of the number five as a structural pillar of the nation's ideology.

"Harga nasi goreng ini hanya lima belas ribu rupiah."

Translation: The price of this fried rice is only fifteen thousand rupiah.

Transportation is another area where 'lima' is frequent. Bus numbers, train departure times (Pukul lima sore), and distances ('lima kilometer lagi') are all vital pieces of information. If you are taking an Angkot (public minivan), the driver might shout out 'Lima ratus!' to indicate a short-distance fare of 500 rupiah.

"Kita akan bertemu di depan mall pada jam lima tepat."

Translation: We will meet in front of the mall at exactly five o'clock.

In media, 'Top Lima' (Top Five) lists are popular in entertainment news and social media. During the pandemic, the government promoted '5M' (lima M), a set of five health protocols (Memakai masker, Mencuci tangan, etc.), making the number 'lima' a central part of public health campaigns.

"Jangan lupa menjalankan protokol lima M setiap hari."

Translation: Don't forget to practice the five M protocols every day.

While lima is a simple word, English speakers often make mistakes in its application within Indonesian grammar and pronunciation. The most common error is related to pluralization. In English, we say 'five books'. A beginner might try to say 'lima buku-buku' because 'buku-buku' is the plural for 'books'. However, in Indonesian, if a number is present, the noun must remain in its singular form. 'Lima buku' is correct; 'lima buku-buku' is redundant and incorrect.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: English speakers sometimes pronounce 'lima' like the bean (ly-ma). This is incorrect. It must be 'lee-ma'. Another mistake is confusing it with 'limau' (lime fruit). While they sound similar, 'limau' has an extra 'u' at the end.
Classifier Omission: While dropping classifiers is common in slang, in formal writing or exams, omitting them is a mistake. Forgetting to say 'lima orang siswa' and just saying 'lima siswa' might lose you points in a formal Indonesian proficiency test.

Salah: "Saya punya lima mobil-mobil."
Benar: "Saya punya lima mobil."

Explanation: Do not reduplicate the noun when a number precedes it.

Another mistake involves the word 'kelima'. Some learners use 'kelima' when they mean 'all five'. While 'kelima' can mean 'the fifth', to say 'all five of them', you should use 'kelima-limanya' or 'kelimanya'. Using just 'kelima' can be ambiguous. Furthermore, learners often confuse 'lima belas' (15) with 'lima puluh' (50). This is a high-stakes mistake in a market! 'Belas' is for teens (11-19), while 'puluh' is for tens (20, 30, 40, etc.).

"Harganya lima puluh ribu, bukan lima belas ribu."

Translation: The price is fifty thousand, not fifteen thousand.

Lastly, be careful with the prefix 'se-'. While 'sepuluh' means ten (one ten), you cannot say 'selima' to mean five. 'Lima' stands alone. The prefix 'se-' is only used with 'one' (satu) in numbers like sepuluh, seratus, seribu. Learners sometimes over-apply this rule to other numbers.

While lima is the standard word for five, Indonesian has several synonyms and related terms derived from different linguistic roots, primarily Sanskrit. These alternatives are often used in more formal, literary, or specific institutional contexts. Understanding these helps in reaching a higher level of fluency and cultural literacy.

Panca (Sanskrit Root): The most common alternative is Panca. It is never used for counting objects (you don't say 'panca buku'), but it is used in compound words and official titles. Pancasila (Five Principles), Pancawarna (Five colors/multicolored), and Pancawarsa (Five-year period/lustrum) are key examples.
Goceng (Hokkien Influence): In the markets of Jakarta and among the Chinese-Indonesian community, you will hear Goceng. This specifically means 5,000. Similarly, Gomek (informal/slang) can sometimes refer to 500 in specific regional dialects, though 'gopay' is now a digital wallet!

"Burung Garuda memegang perisai yang melambangkan Pancasila."

Translation: The Garuda bird holds a shield symbolizing the Five Principles.

In terms of grammar, you might encounter kelima (the fifth) and berlima (the five of us). While not 'synonyms' in a strict sense, they are the functional variations of 'lima' that you must master. For example, 'Kami datang berlima' is much more natural than 'Lima orang dari kami datang'.

"Taman itu sangat indah dengan bunga pancawarna."

Translation: The garden is very beautiful with five-colored (multicolored) flowers.

Hand-related terms: Because 'lima' is historically linked to the hand, words like tangan (hand) or jari (finger) are often conceptually linked in literature. A 'handful' is often described using 'segenggam', but 'lima jari' is the literal way to describe the digits.

In summary, while 'lima' is your workhorse, keep an ear out for 'panca' in formal settings and 'goceng' in the bustling markets of Java. Knowing these variations will make you sound less like a textbook and more like a resident.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Pemerintah menetapkan lima kebijakan baru."

Neutral

"Saya membeli lima butir telur."

Informal

"Kita pergi berlima aja yuk!"

Child friendly

"Ayo hitung jarimu, satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima!"

Jerga

"Bayar goceng aja buat parkir."

Dato curioso

The connection between 'five' and 'hand' is preserved in many languages across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, from Hawaii to Madagascar.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈliː.mə/

US /ˈli.mɑ/

Stress is typically on the first syllable (LI-ma), though Indonesian word stress is generally very light and even.

Rima con

Rima (rhyme) Terima (receive) Prima (prime) Slima (slender - informal) Skema (schema - near rhyme) Gema (echo - near rhyme) Delima (pomegranate) Panglima (commander)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like the 'Lima bean' (LY-MA).
Nasalizing the 'i' too much.
Swallowing the final 'a' so it sounds like 'lim'.
Adding a 'w' sound (li-mwa).
Confusing the 'l' with a 'r' sound (rima).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read as it is a short, phonetic word.

Escritura 1/5

Simple spelling with no special characters or complex clusters.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy, but requires attention to the 'lee' sound to avoid English-style mispronunciation.

Escucha 2/5

Easy, though in fast speech it can blend with other words.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

Satu Dua Tiga Empat

Aprende después

Enam Tujuh Delapan Sembilan Sepuluh

Avanzado

Pancasila Pancawarsa Kelima-limanya Perlimaan

Gramática que debes saber

Noun Quantifiers

Numbers always precede the noun: 'lima meja' (five tables).

Plurality Omission

Nouns are not reduplicated after numbers: 'lima anak' (NOT lima anak-anak).

Ordinal Prefix

Add 'ke-' to make ordinals: 'ke' + 'lima' = 'kelima' (fifth).

Collective Prefix

Add 'ber-' for groups: 'ber' + 'lima' = 'berlima' (group of five).

Fractional Prefix

Add 'seper-' for fractions: 'seper' + 'lima' = 'seperlima' (one-fifth).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Saya punya lima buku.

I have five books.

Simple number + noun structure.

Ada lima orang di sini.

There are five people here.

Using 'orang' as a classifier for people.

Jam lima sore.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

Telling time.

Harga kopi lima ribu rupiah.

The price of coffee is five thousand rupiah.

Using 'ribu' for thousands.

Kucing itu punya lima anak.

That cat has five kittens.

Possessive structure with numbers.

Saya beli lima apel merah.

I bought five red apples.

Adjective follows the noun.

Dia makan lima pisang.

He ate five bananas.

Subject + Verb + Number + Noun.

Tunggu lima menit.

Wait for five minutes.

Duration of time.

Anak kelima saya baru lahir.

My fifth child was just born.

Ordinal number 'kelima'.

Kami pergi ke Bali berlima.

The five of us went to Bali.

Collective number 'berlima'.

Tolong potong menjadi lima bagian.

Please cut it into five parts.

Using 'bagian' for parts/slices.

Dia lari sejauh lima kilometer.

He ran as far as five kilometers.

Distance measure.

Ada lima ekor burung di pohon.

There are five birds in the tree.

Classifier 'ekor' for animals.

Saya butuh lima lembar kertas.

I need five sheets of paper.

Classifier 'lembar' for flat objects.

Rumah dia nomor lima.

His house is number five.

Using numbers for addresses.

Bulan lima adalah bulan Mei.

The fifth month is May.

Months as numbers.

Hanya seperlima penduduk yang setuju.

Only one-fifth of the residents agree.

Fraction 'seperlima'.

Pancasila adalah lima dasar negara.

Pancasila is the five foundations of the state.

Cultural noun phrase.

Dia mendapat peringkat lima besar.

He achieved a top five ranking.

Compound phrase 'lima besar'.

Kita harus salat lima waktu.

We must perform the five daily prayers.

Religious context.

Dia bekerja lima hari seminggu.

He works five days a week.

Frequency and duration.

Ada lima macam sambal di sini.

There are five types of chili sauce here.

Using 'macam' for types.

Gedung itu tingginya lima lantai.

That building is five stories high.

Describing height/floors.

Lima tahun kemudian, dia sukses.

Five years later, he was successful.

Time transition.

Pemerintah meluncurkan rencana pembangunan lima tahun.

The government launched a five-year development plan.

Formal administrative term.

Bunga itu memiliki kelopak pancawarna.

The flower has five-colored petals.

Sanskrit-derived prefix 'panca-'.

Kelima tersangka sudah ditangkap polisi.

All five suspects have been arrested by the police.

Collective ordinal 'kelima' meaning 'all five'.

Dia mengambil langkah seribu, eh, langkah lima!

He ran away very fast!

Play on the idiom 'langkah seribu'.

Acara ini dihadiri oleh lima menteri.

This event was attended by five ministers.

Passive voice with numbers.

Harga saham naik lima poin hari ini.

The stock price rose five points today.

Financial context.

Kita perlu mempertimbangkan lima faktor utama.

We need to consider five main factors.

Analytical context.

Dia adalah salah satu dari lima pendiri perusahaan.

He is one of the five founders of the company.

Fractional group membership.

Manifestasi lima sila harus nyata dalam perilaku.

The manifestation of the five principles must be evident in behavior.

Abstract philosophical usage.

Penelitian ini mencakup lima dasawarsa terakhir.

This research covers the last five decades.

Formal time unit 'dasawarsa'.

Kelima-limanya memiliki argumen yang sangat kuat.

All five of them have very strong arguments.

Emphatic collective 'kelima-limanya'.

Keberagaman ini adalah kekayaan pancaragam budaya kita.

This diversity is the richness of our multifaceted culture.

Literary use of 'panca-'.

Angka lima dalam tradisi ini melambangkan keseimbangan.

The number five in this tradition symbolizes balance.

Symbolic/Cultural analysis.

Penyair itu menulis tentang lima musim di hatinya.

The poet wrote about five seasons in his heart.

Metaphorical usage.

Kita tidak boleh melupakan jasa lima tokoh tersebut.

We must not forget the services of those five figures.

Formal honorific context.

Strategi ini melibatkan lima pilar utama reformasi.

This strategy involves five main pillars of reform.

Metaphorical 'pillars'.

Ontologi Pancasila berakar pada lima prinsip eksistensial.

The ontology of Pancasila is rooted in five existential principles.

Highly academic/philosophical.

Dialektika antara kelima unsur tersebut menciptakan harmoni.

The dialectic between those five elements creates harmony.

Complex scientific/philosophical discourse.

Struktur sosial ini telah bertahan selama lima abad.

This social structure has endured for five centuries.

Long-term historical context.

Karya sastra ini mengeksplorasi lima tahap kedukaan.

This literary work explores the five stages of grief.

Psychological/Literary context.

Pancawarsa pertama kepemimpinannya ditandai dengan stabilitas.

The first five-year period of his leadership was marked by stability.

Archaic/Formal 'pancawarsa'.

Sinkretisme budaya ini terlihat dalam lima ritus utama.

This cultural syncretism is visible in five main rites.

Sociological terminology.

Kelima-limanya merupakan variabel dependen dalam model ini.

All five of them are dependent variables in this model.

Statistical/Scientific context.

Esai ini mengkritik lima asumsi dasar teori tersebut.

This essay criticizes the five basic assumptions of that theory.

Academic critique.

Colocaciones comunes

Lima ribu

Lima waktu

Lima besar

Lima hari

Lima menit

Pukul lima

Lima tahun

Lima orang

Sila kelima

Lima jari

Frases Comunes

Lima langkah

Kaki lima

Lima belas

Lima puluh

Lima ratus

Berlima saja

Lima hari kerja

Top lima

Lima kali

Lima besar dunia

Se confunde a menudo con

lima vs Limau

Limau means lime/citrus. It sounds like lima but has an 'u' at the end.

lima vs Limas

Limas means pyramid. It starts with 'lima' but refers to a 3D shape.

lima vs Rima

Rima means rhyme. The 'r' and 'l' can be confused by some learners.

Modismos y expresiones

"Langkah lima"

To run away very quickly, often out of fear or to escape.

Melihat polisi, pencuri itu langsung langkah lima.

Informal

"Mata lima"

A term used in traditional games or gambling referring to a specific dice roll.

Dia menang karena dapat mata lima.

Slang

"Pedagang Kaki Lima"

While literal, it functions as an idiom for 'street food culture'.

Kaki lima adalah nadi ekonomi rakyat.

Neutral

"Lima jari"

Sometimes used to refer to a slap (tamparan).

Dia kena lima jari di pipinya.

Informal

"Bintang lima"

Five-star. Refers to the highest quality, usually for hotels or restaurants.

Kami menginap di hotel bintang lima.

Neutral

"Lima waktu"

Used idiomatically to describe someone's religious devotion.

Dia orangnya taat, salatnya selalu lima waktu.

Neutral

"Main lima"

A slang term in some sports or games for a specific strategy involving five players.

Ayo kita main lima di depan.

Informal

"Lima-lima"

Fifty-fifty or balanced (though 'setengah-setengah' is more common).

Peluangnya lima-lima.

Rare Slang

"Tangan lima"

A rare literary way to describe the hand's utility.

Dengan tangan lima ia bekerja.

Literary

"Lima dasar"

Often used as a shorthand for the absolute essentials of any topic.

Ini adalah lima dasar memasak.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

lima vs Lima belas

Sounds similar to other 'belas' numbers.

It is exactly 15. Make sure the 'lima' is clear.

Umur saya lima belas.

lima vs Lima puluh

Often confused with 15 by beginners.

Puluh means tens (50), while belas means teens (15).

Harganya lima puluh ribu.

lima vs Panca

Learners don't know when to use it vs lima.

Panca is a prefix for formal concepts, lima is for counting.

Pancasila.

lima vs Kelima

Can mean 'fifth' or 'all five'.

Context determines if it's ordinal or collective.

Dia anak kelima.

lima vs Kaki lima

Literal translation is 'five feet'.

It is an idiomatic term for street vendors.

Makan di kaki lima.

Patrones de oraciones

[Number] + [Noun]

Lima buku.

[Number] + [Classifier] + [Noun]

Lima orang guru.

Ber + [Number]

Kami berlima.

Ke + [Number]

Anak kelima.

Seper + [Number]

Seperlima bagian.

[Number] + [Noun] + [Adjective]

Lima mobil baru.

Ke + [Number] + [-nya]

Kelimanya hadir.

[Sanskrit-Prefix] + [Root]

Pancawarsa itu penting.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high; within the top 100 most used words in Indonesian.

Errores comunes

Lima buku-buku → Lima buku
In Indonesian, you don't pluralize the noun if a number is already present. The number 'lima' already indicates plurality.
Pronouncing 'lima' like 'ly-ma' → Pronounce it 'lee-ma'
The 'i' in Indonesian is always a 'ee' sound. Using the English 'i' sound will make the word unrecognizable.
Using 'lima' as 'fifth' without 'ke-' → Anak kelima
To indicate order (ordinal), you must add the prefix 'ke-'. 'Anak lima' would mean 'five children'.
Confusing 'lima belas' and 'lima puluh' → 15 vs 50
This is a common listening error. 'Belas' is for teens, 'puluh' is for tens. Pay close attention to the suffix.
Saying 'selima' for five → Lima
The prefix 'se-' only means 'one'. You can say 'sepuluh' (one ten) but you cannot say 'selima'. 'Lima' stands alone.

Consejos

No Plurals

Never repeat the noun after 'lima'. 'Lima buku' is right. 'Lima buku-buku' is wrong. The number already tells us there is more than one.

The 'I' Sound

The 'i' in 'lima' is always like 'ee' in 'cheese'. If you pronounce it like 'lime', people might not understand you.

Pancasila

Memorizing that 'Pancasila' means 'Five Principles' will help you remember that 'Panca' is a formal version of 'lima'.

Money Matters

Practice 'lima ribu' (5k) and 'lima puluh ribu' (50k) until they are second nature. These are the most common bills you will use.

Hand Connection

Remember that 'lima' used to mean 'hand'. This helps you visualize five fingers whenever you say the word.

Using Berlima

Use 'berlima' when talking about your group of friends. It sounds much more natural than saying 'lima orang dari kami'.

Teens vs Tens

In writing, be careful with 'lima belas' (15) and 'lima puluh' (50). The 'belas' suffix is for 11-19, and 'puluh' is for multiples of ten.

Jam vs Pukul

Both 'jam lima' and 'pukul lima' mean 5 o'clock. 'Pukul' is slightly more formal, often used in news or schedules.

Basic Math

Use 'lima tambah lima' for 5+5. It's a great way to practice your numbers while doing simple mental sums.

Context Clues

If you hear 'lima' in a restaurant, it's likely about the number of people or portions. Context is your best friend.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of the 'Lima' bean, but instead of eating it, imagine you have 'five' of them in your 'hand' (the original meaning of the word).

Asociación visual

Visualize a hand with all five fingers spread wide. Each finger represents one 'i' and 'a' in the word L-I-M-A.

Word Web

Pancasila Lima waktu Kaki lima Lima ribu Kelima Berlima Lima belas Lima puluh

Desafío

Try to find five objects in your room and point to each one while saying 'Satu, dua, tiga, empat, LIMA!' out loud.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Proto-Austronesian word *lima, which originally meant 'hand'. This is because humans have five fingers on one hand, making it a natural basis for counting.

Significado original: Hand / Five fingers

Austronesian

Contexto cultural

There are no major taboos with the number five, though in some local mystical traditions, certain combinations of five can be significant.

English speakers often associate 'five' with high-fives; in Indonesia, 'lima' is more often associated with the 'kaki lima' street food carts.

Pancasila (The state philosophy) Pedagang Kaki Lima (Ubiquitous street vendors) Salat Lima Waktu (Islamic daily prayers)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Market/Shopping

Lima ribu rupiah
Beli lima gratis satu
Lima puluh ribu pas
Harganya lima belas ribu

Time/Scheduling

Jam lima pagi
Lima menit lagi
Lima hari yang lalu
Setiap lima jam

Restaurant

Meja untuk lima orang
Lima porsi sate
Lima gelas es teh
Makan berlima

Classroom

Halaman lima
Lima pertanyaan
Tugas kelompok berlima
Peringkat lima

Directions

Lima meter ke depan
Lampu merah kelima
Lantai lima
Lima kilometer lagi

Inicios de conversación

"Berapa harga lima buah jeruk ini?"

"Apakah kita akan pergi berlima atau berenam?"

"Sudah berapa lama kamu menunggu? Lima menit?"

"Siapa anak kelima di keluarga kamu?"

"Apakah kamu tahu lima prinsip Pancasila?"

Temas para diario

Tuliskan lima hal yang membuat kamu bahagia hari ini.

Ceritakan pengalaman kamu saat pergi berlima dengan teman-teman.

Apa yang biasanya kamu lakukan pada jam lima sore?

Jika kamu punya lima miliar rupiah, apa yang akan kamu beli?

Sebutkan lima kata bahasa Indonesia favoritmu dan alasannya.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, Indonesian does not have grammatical gender. 'Lima' remains the same whether you are talking about a man, a woman, or an object. For example, 'lima pria' (five men) and 'lima wanita' (five women) use the exact same word for five.

Yes, in informal writing, texting, and quick notes, using the digit '5' is perfectly fine and very common. However, in formal essays or literature, it is better to write out the word 'lima' for numbers one through ten.

'Lima' is the everyday word used for counting and math. 'Panca' is a Sanskrit loanword used as a prefix in formal, historical, or religious terms like 'Pancasila'. You wouldn't use 'panca' to count apples at the market.

You use the word 'berlima'. For example, 'Kami berlima akan pergi ke bioskop' (The five of us are going to the cinema). It acts as a collective adjective/adverb for the group.

Yes, you say 'tanggal lima' (the 5th date). For example, 'Saya lahir tanggal lima Mei' (I was born on the 5th of May).

Literally 'five feet'. It refers to the 5-foot width of sidewalks in colonial times where vendors sold goods. Today, it refers to street vendors and the food they sell.

In Jakarta, 'goceng' is very common slang for 5,000. For just the number 5, there isn't a widely used slang word other than the standard 'lima'.

You say 'seperlima'. The prefix 'seper-' is used to create fractions in Indonesian. 'Dua per lima' would be two-fifths.

It refers to the five mandatory prayer times in Islam. It is a very common phrase in Indonesia to describe daily schedules or religious observance.

You say 'lima kali'. 'Kali' means 'times' or 'occurrences'. For example, 'Saya sudah makan lima kali hari ini' (I have eaten five times today).

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