When you're just starting to learn Indonesian, tua is one of the first adjectives you'll encounter. It means 'old' and is used in a straightforward way, similar to English.
You can use tua to describe people, animals, or things that have existed for a long time or are not new. It's a very common and essential word for basic descriptions.
When talking about age in Indonesian, tua is used for people, animals, and things. For example, kakek tua means 'old grandfather' and meja tua means 'old table'.
It can also mean 'mature' or 'dark' (for colors). For instance, biru tua means 'dark blue'.
tua 30초 만에
- Describes age for living things.
- Describes duration for objects.
- Opposite of 'muda' (young) or 'baru' (new).
§ Understanding 'Tua'
The Indonesian word 'tua' is an adjective that means 'old'. It's a common word, and you'll hear it a lot. Let's break down how to use it.
- Definition
- Old (adjective)
§ How to Use 'Tua' in Sentences
Like many Indonesian adjectives, 'tua' usually comes after the noun it describes. This is different from English, where 'old' comes before the noun (e.g., 'old house').
Rumah itu sudah tua.
This translates to 'That house is already old.' (Literally: 'House that already old.')
Pria tua itu sedang duduk.
This means 'That old man is sitting.' (Literally: 'Man old that is sitting.')
§ Using 'Tua' with Age
When talking about a person's age, 'tua' is used slightly differently. You'll often see it with the word 'umur' (age) or implied.
To ask 'How old are you?' you'd say: Berapa umurmu? (How much your age?) or more formally, Berapa umur Anda?
To state your age, you'd say: Saya berumur tiga puluh tahun. (I am thirty years old.) Or simply, Saya tiga puluh tahun. (I thirty years.)
However, if you want to say someone 'is old', you use 'tua' directly.
Nenek saya sudah sangat tua.
This means 'My grandmother is already very old.' (Literally: 'Grandmother my already very old.')
§ 'Tua' for Things, Not Just People
'Tua' can describe anything that has existed for a long time, not just living beings. This includes objects, traditions, or even ideas.
Meja ini sudah sangat tua, mungkin lebih dari seratus tahun.
This translates to 'This table is very old, maybe more than a hundred years.' (Literally: 'Table this already very old, maybe more than one hundred year.')
Tradisi itu sangat tua di desa ini.
This means 'That tradition is very old in this village.' (Literally: 'Tradition that very old in village this.')
§ Common Phrases with 'Tua'
Here are a few common phrases you might encounter:
Orang tua: This literally means 'old person/people' but is commonly used to mean 'parents'. Context will tell you which meaning is intended.
Saya akan mengunjungi orang tua saya akhir pekan ini.
'I will visit my parents this weekend.' (Literally: 'I will visit old people my end week this.')
Ulang tahun ke-[angka] / Tahun ke-[angka] : When saying 'X years old' for a birthday, use 'ulang tahun ke-' followed by the number. For example, 'ulang tahun ke-20' (20th birthday). However, for describing someone's age in general, simply saying 'X tahun' works.
Practice using 'tua' in different sentences. Pay attention to how native speakers use it. You'll get the hang of it quickly!
When you're learning Indonesian, you'll quickly encounter the word tua. It's a common adjective that means 'old.' But like in English, 'old' can refer to many things: age, condition, or even status. This section will help you understand how to use tua correctly and when to choose other words that might fit better.
§ Tua: Basic Meaning
- DEFINITION
- Old (refers to age, maturity, or long existence)
The most straightforward use of tua is to describe someone or something that has existed for a long time.
Nenek saya sudah sangat tua, usianya 90 tahun. (My grandmother is very old, her age is 90 years.)
Rumah ini tua sekali, mungkin sudah ada sejak 100 tahun yang lalu. (This house is very old, maybe it has been here since 100 years ago.)
§ Tua vs. Lama: 'Old' for Time Duration
While tua is about the state of being old, lama is typically used for things that take a long time or have been for a long duration.
- DEFINITION
- Lama: Long (refers to duration of time)
You would use lama when talking about how long something takes or how long something has been in a certain state, without necessarily implying decay or physical age.
Dia sudah lama tinggal di Jakarta. (He has lived in Jakarta for a long time.)
Menunggu bus ini sangat lama. (Waiting for this bus takes a very long time.)
§ Tua vs. Usang: 'Old' and Worn Out
When something is old and also worn out, broken, or in bad condition, you might use usang.
- DEFINITION
- Usang: Worn out, dilapidated, obsolete (refers to condition due to age or heavy use)
This word emphasizes the deterioration that comes with age or heavy use, especially for objects.
Buku itu sudah usang karena sering dibaca. (That book is worn out because it's often read.)
Komputer lama saya sudah usang dan tidak bisa dipakai lagi. (My old computer is obsolete and can't be used anymore.)
§ Tua vs. Kuno: 'Old' and Ancient/Outdated
For things that are old in a historical or traditional sense, or simply very outdated, kuno is a good choice.
- DEFINITION
- Kuno: Ancient, archaic, outdated (refers to historical age or being out of fashion)
This word carries a connotation of being from a past era, either historically significant or simply no longer relevant to modern times.
Mereka menemukan artefak kuno di situs arkeologi. (They found ancient artifacts at the archaeological site.)
Gaya rambutnya sudah sangat kuno. (His hairstyle is very outdated.)
§ Summary of 'Old' Words
Here’s a quick recap to help you choose the right word:
- Tua: Generally refers to the age of a person or object. It's the most common and neutral term.
- Lama: Used for duration or how long something has been. Not about physical age or condition.
- Usang: Describes something that is old and worn out, dilapidated, or no longer useful. Applies mostly to objects.
- Kuno: Refers to something ancient, historical, or very outdated in style or technology.
By understanding these differences, you can express yourself more precisely when talking about 'old' things in Indonesian. Practice using them in different contexts to get a feel for when each word is appropriate.
How Formal Is It?
"Rumah ini sudah tua."
"Pohon itu sangat tua."
"Kakek saya sudah tua sekali."
"Nenek punya anjing yang tua."
"Dasar, tua bangka! Nggak ngerti apa-apa."
재미있는 사실
The word 'tua' in Indonesian shares a common ancestor with words for 'old' in many other Austronesian languages, highlighting the linguistic connections across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
난이도
short
short
short
short
다음에 무엇을 배울까
다음에 배울 것
고급
수준별 예문
Rumah itu sangat tua.
The house is very old.
Kakek saya sudah tua sekali.
My grandfather is very old.
Pohon itu tua dan besar.
The tree is old and big.
Mobil ini tua tapi masih bagus.
This car is old but still good.
Dia bukan anak muda lagi, dia sudah tua.
He is not a young person anymore, he is old.
Buku ini sangat tua, dari tahun 1950.
This book is very old, from 1950.
Warna baju itu sudah tua.
The color of the clothes is already old (faded).
Tua itu pasti, dewasa itu pilihan.
Getting old is certain, being mature is a choice.
Rumah itu sudah tua sekali.
The house is very old.
Kakek saya sudah tua tapi masih kuat.
My grandfather is old but still strong.
Dia punya mobil tua yang bagus.
He has a nice old car.
Pohon di depan rumah itu sangat tua.
The tree in front of the house is very old.
Baju ini sudah tua dan robek.
This shirt is old and torn.
Nenekku suka cerita tentang masa tua.
My grandmother likes stories about old times.
Minuman ini rasanya tua, tidak segar.
This drink tastes 'old', not fresh. (Referring to something that has lost its freshness, like stale drinks).
Dia terlihat tua untuk usianya.
He looks old for his age.
자주 혼동되는 단어
'Muda' means young, the direct opposite of 'tua' in terms of age.
'Baru' means new, often contrasted with 'lama' for things that have existed for a short time.
'Muda' can also refer to light colors, as 'tua' can refer to dark colors. For example, 'merah muda' (pink/light red) vs. 'merah tua' (dark red).
관용어 및 표현
"orang tua"
parents
Saya harus mengunjungi orang tua saya akhir pekan ini.
neutral"tua bangka"
old geezer (derogatory)
Dia disebut tua bangka karena sikapnya yang kolot.
informal"muda-tua"
young and old, all ages
Muda-tua berkumpul di acara festival itu.
neutral"tua keladi"
someone old who still acts young or behaves mischievously
Meskipun sudah tua keladi, dia masih suka menggoda.
informal"tua renta"
very old and frail
Nenek itu sudah tua renta dan butuh bantuan.
neutral"lebih tua"
older (comparative)
Kakak saya lebih tua dua tahun dari saya.
neutral"tua-tua keladi, makin tua makin jadi"
the older, the more (often used to describe someone who gets more charming/naughty with age)
Dia itu tua-tua keladi, makin tua makin jadi.
informal"umur tua"
old age
Dia menikmati masa umur tuanya di desa.
neutral"menjadi tua"
to grow old
Semua orang akan menjadi tua suatu hari nanti.
neutral"bertambah tua"
getting older
Anak-anaknya sudah bertambah tua sekarang.
neutral혼동하기 쉬운
'Tua' refers to something being old, often in terms of age or maturity. It can also describe a dark or deep color.
Use 'tua' for age, maturity, or deep colors. Don't use it for newness or bright colors.
Rumah ini sudah tua. (This house is already old.)
'Lama' refers to duration, meaning 'a long time' or 'old' in the sense of something having existed for a long time.
Use 'lama' for duration or something that has existed for a long time. It's less about physical age than 'tua'.
Saya sudah lama tinggal di sini. (I have lived here for a long time.)
'Antik' means antique, referring to something old and valuable, often a collectible.
Use 'antik' specifically for items that are considered antiques. It carries a connotation of value and historical significance.
Meja ini barang antik. (This table is an antique item.)
'Kuno' means ancient or old-fashioned, often implying something is outdated or from a very long time ago.
Use 'kuno' for things that are ancient or old-fashioned, often with a slightly negative or critical connotation if referring to style or technology.
Pakaiannya kuno sekali. (Her clothes are very old-fashioned.)
'Sepuh' is a more respectful or formal way to refer to someone elderly, often with wisdom implied. It can also mean 'gilded' when referring to metal.
Use 'sepuh' for elderly people, especially in formal or respectful contexts. Less commonly used for objects unless referring to gilding.
Orang sepuh itu bijaksana. (That elderly person is wise.)
사용법
When referring to people, tua implies 'elderly' or 'old in age'. For objects, it means 'old' or 'aged'. It can also mean 'dark' for colors, like biru tua (dark blue).
A common mistake is using tua to mean 'new' when referring to recent events or news. In this context, you should use words like baru (new/just) or terbaru (latest).
암기하기
기억법
To remember 'tua' means 'old', think of a 'TULIP' that is 'OLD' and wilting. The sound 'tua' is similar to the beginning of 'tulip'.
시각적 연상
Imagine an old, wise owl with a 'TUA' (toga) on, perched on a branch, looking very 'old'.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe five old things you see around you using 'tua' in Indonesian sentences. For example, 'Meja ini tua.' (This table is old.)
어원
Proto-Malayo-Polynesian
원래 의미: *tuqah* (old, mature)
Austronesian문화적 맥락
The concept of 'tua' in Indonesia often carries connotations of respect and wisdom, especially when referring to older people. It's common to show deference to those who are 'tua' in age or position. However, 'tua' can also simply mean 'old' for inanimate objects without any special cultural weight, like 'rumah tua' (old house).
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Describing people's age
- Dia sudah tua.
- Bapak saya sudah tua.
- Nenek saya orang tua.
Describing things that are old (not new)
- Rumah ini tua sekali.
- Baju saya sudah tua.
- Mobil itu tua.
Referring to parents (informal)
- Orang tua saya di rumah.
- Saya mau bertemu orang tua.
- Telepon orang tua dulu.
Referring to an elder or respected person (informal, often respectful)
- Hormati yang tua.
- Dengarkan nasihat orang tua.
- Dia orang tua di desa ini.
Describing something as 'old' in a positive, vintage, or classic sense
- Lagu ini lagu lama tapi enak.
- Foto tua ini sangat indah.
- Barang antik itu terlihat tua dan berharga.
대화 시작하기
"Apakah kamu punya orang tua di rumah?"
"Menurutmu, apakah Jakarta kota tua?"
"Apakah kamu suka menonton film-film tua?"
"Berapa umur orang tua kamu?"
"Apa barang paling tua di rumahmu?"
일기 주제
Tulis tentang orang tua di keluargamu. Apa yang kamu pelajari dari mereka?
Deskripsikan sebuah tempat tua yang kamu kunjungi. Apa yang membuat tempat itu menarik?
Pikirkan tentang barang yang sudah tua tapi masih kamu pakai. Kenapa kamu menyimpannya?
Bagaimana cara kita menghormati orang tua di masyarakat?
Apakah kamu lebih suka barang baru atau barang tua (vintage)? Jelaskan.
셀프 테스트 54 질문
Choose the correct translation for 'rumah tua'.
In Indonesian, 'tua' means old, and 'rumah' means house. So, 'rumah tua' translates to 'old house'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'tua' to describe an old man?
'Orang tua' literally means 'old person' or 'elderly person'.
What is the opposite of 'tua' (old)?
'Muda' is the Indonesian word for young, which is the opposite of old.
The word 'tua' can be used to describe an old building.
Yes, 'tua' can be used for inanimate objects like buildings, e.g., 'gedung tua' (old building).
If someone is 'orang tua', it means they are a young person.
No, 'orang tua' means an old person or an elder.
The phrase 'mobil tua' means 'new car'.
No, 'mobil tua' means 'old car'. 'Mobil' means car and 'tua' means old.
The correct order for 'that house is old' is 'rumah itu tua'.
The correct order for 'he/she is very old' is 'dia tua sekali'.
The correct order for 'this book is old' is 'buku ini tua'.
Kakek saya sudah sangat ___. Dia berumur 90 tahun.
The sentence talks about a 90-year-old grandfather, so 'tua' (old) is the appropriate word.
Rumah ini terlihat ___ karena sudah berdiri lebih dari seratus tahun.
The house has stood for over a hundred years, indicating it is 'tua' (old).
Pohon di depan rumah saya sangat ___ dan tinggi.
A tall tree that has been there for a long time would be 'tua' (old).
Dia merasa ___ setelah bekerja keras sepanjang hari.
Figuratively, 'tua' can mean feeling exhausted or worn out, which fits after a long day of hard work.
Sepatu lamanya sudah sangat ___ dan rusak.
Old shoes are likely to be 'tua' (old) and damaged.
Saya suka minum kopi ___ di pagi hari.
'Kopi tua' refers to strong, aged coffee, which is a common expression in Indonesia.
The old house is still standing strong.
The old tree behind the school has been there for decades.
They are discussing plans to renovate that old building.
Read this aloud:
Meskipun sudah tua, nenek saya masih sangat aktif.
Focus: tua
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
Ayah saya sering bercerita tentang mobil tua kesayangannya.
Focus: tua
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Kota ini memiliki banyak bangunan tua yang bersejarah.
Focus: tua
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The sentence translates to 'That house is very old but still sturdy.' The words are ordered to form a grammatically correct Indonesian sentence.
This sentence means 'Even though he is old, his spirit is still young.' The ordering follows standard Indonesian sentence structure for a concessive clause.
The sentence translates to 'The banyan tree over there looks very old and big.' The structure is a simple descriptive sentence.
The sentence describes an old house that needs renovation. The word order follows a typical Indonesian sentence structure: Noun + Demonstrative + Adverb + Adjective + Conjunction + Verb.
This sentence uses 'meskipun' (although) to show a contrast: despite being old, the grandmother is still strong enough to walk far. The order is: Conjunction + Adverb + Adjective + Noun + Adverb + Adjective + Verb + Adverb.
The sentence describes an old coconut tree in front of the house. The order is: Noun + Noun (compound) + Preposition + Noun + Noun + Pronoun + Adverb + Adverb + Adjective.
Meskipun usianya sudah ___, semangatnya untuk belajar tidak pernah pudar.
Dalam konteks ini, 'tua' paling sesuai untuk menggambarkan usia yang sudah lanjut.
Rumah adat itu terlihat semakin anggun meskipun usianya sudah sangat ___.
'Tua' digunakan untuk menyatakan bahwa rumah adat tersebut sudah berusia lama.
Ia menunjukkan kebijaksanaan yang luar biasa untuk usianya yang masih sangat ___.
Kebijaksanaan yang luar biasa untuk usia yang 'muda' menunjukkan kontras yang kuat.
Meski mesin mobilnya sudah ___, performanya masih sangat baik.
'Tua' dalam konteks mesin mobil menunjukkan usianya yang sudah tidak muda lagi.
Pohon beringin di tengah desa itu sudah sangat ___ dan menjadi saksi bisu sejarah.
Pohon yang sudah lama berdiri dan menjadi saksi sejarah digambarkan dengan kata 'tua'.
Neneknya, yang sudah sangat ___, masih fasih bercerita tentang masa lalunya.
Kata 'tua' menggambarkan usia nenek yang sudah lanjut dan memiliki banyak pengalaman hidup.
Listen for how 'penuaan' (aging/oldness) is described.
Pay attention to the context of 'tua' here, referring to age.
How is 'tua' used to describe the buildings?
Read this aloud:
Transformasi demografi global menunjukkan peningkatan proporsi populasi usia tua.
Focus: Transformasi
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Mengatasi stigma negatif terhadap orang tua adalah langkah penting menuju masyarakat yang inklusif.
Focus: stigma
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Banyak kebijaksanaan bisa dipelajari dari pengalaman hidup orang-orang tua di komunitas kita.
Focus: kebijaksanaan
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe a time you encountered something surprisingly old or traditional in a modern setting. How did it make you feel?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ketika saya mengunjungi Bali, saya melihat seorang wanita tua menenun kain dengan alat tradisional di samping toko modern yang menjual barang-barang elektronik. Kontras antara yang kuno dan yang baru ini sangat mencolok. Saya merasa kagum dengan ketahanan tradisi dan keindahan kerajinan tangan yang bertahan di tengah kemajuan zaman.
Discuss the socio-economic implications of an aging population in Indonesia. Consider both challenges and potential opportunities.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Populasi lansia yang semakin tua di Indonesia menghadirkan tantangan signifikan, seperti beban sistem kesehatan dan pensiun yang meningkat. Namun, ada juga peluang, misalnya dalam pengembangan industri pariwisata ramah lansia atau pemanfaatan pengalaman dan kebijaksanaan mereka dalam peran mentor. Kebijakan pemerintah perlu beradaptasi untuk memastikan kesejahteraan dan produktivitas kelompok usia ini.
Write a short argumentative essay on whether 'old is gold' applies universally, or if modernity always trumps tradition in certain aspects of life.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Frasa 'old is gold' tidak selalu berlaku secara universal. Meskipun tradisi dan kebijaksanaan lama seringkali memiliki nilai yang tak ternilai, seperti dalam seni atau filosofi, modernitas seringkali unggul dalam efisiensi, inovasi, dan kemajuan teknologi. Misalnya, dalam pengobatan, metode modern seringkali lebih efektif daripada praktik kuno. Namun, ada aspek di mana tradisi, seperti dalam cerita rakyat atau kerajinan tangan, tetap mempertahankan keaslian dan keindahannya yang tidak dapat digantikan oleh modernitas. Keseimbangan antara menghargai yang tua dan merangkul yang baru adalah kunci.
Mengapa masyarakat desa tersebut masih mempertahankan tradisi 'Saparan'?
Read this passage:
Di sebuah desa terpencil di Jawa Tengah, sebuah tradisi kuno yang dikenal sebagai 'Saparan' masih dilaksanakan setiap tahun. Tradisi ini melibatkan ritual pembersihan desa dan persembahan kepada leluhur, yang diyakini menjaga harmoni antara manusia dan alam. Meskipun dunia terus berubah dengan cepat, masyarakat desa ini bersikeras untuk mempertahankan praktik-praktik tua ini, melihatnya sebagai jantung identitas budaya mereka dan cara untuk menghubungkan generasi muda dengan akar-akar mereka yang lebih tua. Mereka percaya bahwa kekuatan dan kebijaksanaan dari masa lalu tetap relevan untuk kehidupan modern.
Mengapa masyarakat desa tersebut masih mempertahankan tradisi 'Saparan'?
Teks menyatakan bahwa tradisi ini 'diyakini menjaga harmoni antara manusia dan alam' dan masyarakat 'bersikeras untuk mempertahankan praktik-praktik tua ini, melihatnya sebagai jantung identitas budaya mereka'.
Teks menyatakan bahwa tradisi ini 'diyakini menjaga harmoni antara manusia dan alam' dan masyarakat 'bersikeras untuk mempertahankan praktik-praktik tua ini, melihatnya sebagai jantung identitas budaya mereka'.
Manakah pernyataan berikut yang paling akurat menggambarkan isu 'aging population' di Indonesia menurut teks?
Read this passage:
Fenomena populasi menua atau 'aging population' menjadi isu krusial di banyak negara berkembang, termasuk Indonesia. Peningkatan harapan hidup dan penurunan angka kelahiran secara signifikan mengubah struktur demografi. Ini membawa implikasi kompleks pada sektor kesehatan, tenaga kerja, dan sistem jaminan sosial. Pemerintah perlu segera merumuskan kebijakan komprehensif yang tidak hanya berfokus pada perawatan lansia, tetapi juga pada pemberdayaan mereka agar tetap produktif dan berkontribusi pada pembangunan ekonomi negara.
Manakah pernyataan berikut yang paling akurat menggambarkan isu 'aging population' di Indonesia menurut teks?
Teks secara eksplisit menyebutkan 'Peningkatan harapan hidup dan penurunan angka kelahiran secara signifikan mengubah struktur demografi' dan 'Pemerintah perlu segera merumuskan kebijakan komprehensif yang tidak hanya berfokus pada perawatan lansia, tetapi juga pada pemberdayaan mereka'.
Teks secara eksplisit menyebutkan 'Peningkatan harapan hidup dan penurunan angka kelahiran secara signifikan mengubah struktur demografi' dan 'Pemerintah perlu segera merumuskan kebijakan komprehensif yang tidak hanya berfokus pada perawatan lansia, tetapi juga pada pemberdayaan mereka'.
Apa makna filosofis yang terkandung dalam arsitektur rumah joglo?
Read this passage:
Dalam arsitektur tradisional Jawa, rumah joglo bukan sekadar bangunan, melainkan representasi filosofi hidup yang mendalam. Setiap elemen, dari tiang utama (saka guru) hingga tata letak ruangan, memiliki makna simbolis yang berusia ratusan tahun. Meskipun saat ini banyak rumah modern dibangun dengan cepat dan efisien, pesona rumah joglo tua dengan ukiran-ukiran rumitnya tetap tak lekang oleh waktu, menjadi pengingat akan keahlian leluhur dan kekayaan budaya yang patut dilestarikan. Mempertahankan struktur-struktur tua ini adalah cara untuk menghargai warisan bangsa.
Apa makna filosofis yang terkandung dalam arsitektur rumah joglo?
Teks menyatakan bahwa rumah joglo adalah 'representasi filosofi hidup yang mendalam' dan 'setiap elemen, dari tiang utama (saka guru) hingga tata letak ruangan, memiliki makna simbolis yang berusia ratusan tahun'.
Teks menyatakan bahwa rumah joglo adalah 'representasi filosofi hidup yang mendalam' dan 'setiap elemen, dari tiang utama (saka guru) hingga tata letak ruangan, memiliki makna simbolis yang berusia ratusan tahun'.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'Tua' is used to describe something or someone as old.
- Describes age for living things.
- Describes duration for objects.
- Opposite of 'muda' (young) or 'baru' (new).
