Signification
A high volume of sound
Contexte culturel
In Central and East Java, speaking with a 'suara keras' is often seen as 'kasar' (unrefined). People prefer 'suara lembut' (soft voice) to maintain social harmony. The Batak people of North Sumatra are famous for their 'suara keras'. It is a cultural trait that signifies openness and strength, not necessarily anger. During the 'Adzan' (call to prayer), 'suara keras' is expected from the mosque's loudspeakers, but inside the mosque, one must avoid 'suara keras' to respect those praying. In Jakarta, 'suara keras' from modified motorcycle exhausts (knalpot brong) is a major source of social tension and is often regulated by police.
Use 'Sekali'
Add 'sekali' after 'keras' to sound more natural when saying 'very loud'.
Avoid 'Tinggi'
Never use 'tinggi' for volume; it will confuse people into thinking about musical pitch.
Signification
A high volume of sound
Use 'Sekali'
Add 'sekali' after 'keras' to sound more natural when saying 'very loud'.
Avoid 'Tinggi'
Never use 'tinggi' for volume; it will confuse people into thinking about musical pitch.
Read the Room
In Java, if someone tells you 'suaranya keras ya,' they might be politely telling you to be quieter.
The 'Ber-' Prefix
Use 'bersuara' as a verb to describe the act of making noise.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word order.
Saya mendengar _______ (loud sound) dari dapur.
In Indonesian, the noun (suara) comes before the adjective (keras).
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask someone to be quiet?
Choose the best option:
'Jangan bersuara keras' is a standard polite prohibition, and adding 'ya' softens the command.
Match the Indonesian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
'Keras' is loud, 'pelan' is soft/slow, 'merdu' is melodious, and 'serak' is hoarse.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kenapa kamu menutup telinga? B: Karena musik itu punya _______.
Closing one's ears is a reaction to a loud sound (suara keras).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Keras vs. Berisik
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSaya mendengar _______ (loud sound) dari dapur.
In Indonesian, the noun (suara) comes before the adjective (keras).
Choose the best option:
'Jangan bersuara keras' is a standard polite prohibition, and adding 'ya' softens the command.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
'Keras' is loud, 'pelan' is soft/slow, 'merdu' is melodious, and 'serak' is hoarse.
A: Kenapa kamu menutup telinga? B: Karena musik itu punya _______.
Closing one's ears is a reaction to a loud sound (suara keras).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot inherently. It's a description. However, speaking with a 'suara keras' in a quiet place is considered rude.
Yes, 'keras kepala' means stubborn, but 'suara keras' just refers to their voice.
The opposite is 'suara pelan' (soft/quiet voice) or 'suara lembut'.
It's better to say 'volume tinggi' or 'suara keras'. 'Volume keras' is rarely used.
You can say 'Jangan keras-keras' or 'Jangan bersuara keras'.
Mostly, yes. 'Kencang' is more common in casual Jakarta slang for 'loud'.
Yes, that is the primary meaning. Its use for sound is a secondary, metaphorical meaning.
Yes, 'Musik ini suaranya keras' is perfectly correct.
It means 'to speak loudly' or 'to emit a loud sound'.
In formal acoustics, you might use 'intensitas suara yang tinggi'.
It reflects a linguistic conceptualization of sound as a physical force.
Yes, 'suara keras ledakan' is the standard way to describe it.
Yes, 'berisik' almost always implies that the noise is unwanted or annoying.
Use 'paling keras'. For example: 'Dia punya suara paling keras di kelas.'
Expressions liées
Berisik
similarNoisy/annoying
Lantang
specialized formClear and bold
Pelan
contrastSoft/quiet
Kencang
synonymLoud/fast
