Equal Comparison 'Se-'
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the prefix 'se-' attached to an adjective to mean 'as [adjective] as' or 'equally [adjective]'.
- Attach 'se-' directly to the adjective: 'setinggi' (as high as).
- Follow with 'dengan' or 'seperti' to introduce the second object: 'Dia setinggi saya'.
- Use it for physical traits, size, or quality comparisons.
Meanings
The prefix 'se-' is used to express equality between two entities regarding a specific quality or attribute.
Physical equality
Comparing size, height, or weight.
“Dia sepintar kakaknya.”
“Tas ini seberat tas itu.”
Abstract equality
Comparing qualities like intelligence or beauty.
“Suaranya seindah suara penyanyi itu.”
“Masalah ini sesulit masalah kemarin.”
Formation Table
| Root Adjective | Prefix | Equative Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Besar | se- | Sebesar | As big as |
| Tinggi | se- | Setinggi | As tall as |
| Mahal | se- | Semahal | As expensive as |
| Pintar | se- | Sepintar | As smart as |
| Jauh | se- | Sejauh | As far as |
| Berat | se- | Seberat | As heavy as |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Se- + Adj + (dengan/seperti) + Noun | Dia setinggi saya. |
| Negative | Tidak + Se- + Adj + (dengan/seperti) + Noun | Dia tidak setinggi saya. |
| Question | Apakah + Se- + Adj + (dengan/seperti) + Noun? | Apakah dia setinggi saya? |
| Short Answer | Se- + Adj | Ya, setinggi. |
| Emphasis | Se- + Adj + mungkin | Secepat mungkin. |
Formality Spectrum
Rumah ini sebesar rumah itu. (Describing property)
Rumah ini sebesar itu. (Describing property)
Rumahnya segede itu. (Describing property)
Rumahnya segede gaban. (Describing property)
The Se- Prefix Map
Size
- Sebesar As big as
Height
- Setinggi As tall as
Quality
- Sepintar As smart as
Se- vs Sama
How to use Se-
Is it an adjective?
Examples by Level
Buku ini sebesar buku itu.
This book is as big as that book.
Dia setinggi ayah.
He is as tall as father.
Tas ini seberat tas saya.
This bag is as heavy as my bag.
Rumah ini semahal rumah itu.
This house is as expensive as that house.
Dia tidak sepintar kakaknya.
He is not as smart as his older sibling.
Apakah dia secantik ibunya?
Is she as beautiful as her mother?
Jaraknya sejauh lima kilometer.
The distance is as far as five kilometers.
Masalah ini sesulit masalah tadi.
This problem is as difficult as the earlier problem.
Kualitas barang ini setara dengan yang asli.
The quality of this item is equal to the original.
Suaranya seindah suara penyanyi profesional.
Her voice is as beautiful as a professional singer's voice.
Dia bekerja sekeras mungkin.
He works as hard as possible.
Kota ini sedingin kutub utara.
This city is as cold as the North Pole.
Keputusannya seberani keputusan pemimpin itu.
His decision is as bold as that leader's decision.
Dia secerdas yang dibayangkan orang.
He is as intelligent as people imagined.
Kecepatan internetnya secepat kilat.
The internet speed is as fast as lightning.
Dia sesabar malaikat dalam menghadapi masalah.
He is as patient as an angel in facing problems.
Wajahnya seputih salju di musim dingin.
Her face is as white as snow in winter.
Tindakannya sekejam tindakan diktator.
His actions are as cruel as a dictator's actions.
Dia sekuat tenaga mencoba bertahan.
He tried to survive with all his might.
Argumennya selogis argumen para ahli.
His argument is as logical as the experts' arguments.
Karyanya semegah karya maestro klasik.
His work is as grand as the work of a classical maestro.
Hatinya seluas samudra yang dalam.
His heart is as vast as the deep ocean.
Dia seberuntung orang yang memenangkan lotre.
He is as lucky as a person who won the lottery.
Kebijakannya seefektif kebijakan masa lalu.
His policy is as effective as past policies.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'sama' when 'se-' is more idiomatic.
Learners use 'seperti' to mean 'as... as'.
Learners try to combine them.
Common Mistakes
Se tinggi
Setinggi
Lebih setinggi
Setinggi
Sama tinggi dengan
Setinggi
Se-tinggi
Setinggi
Tidak lebih setinggi
Tidak setinggi
Se-mahal
Semahal
Setinggi dari
Setinggi
Se-pintar dengan
Sepintar
Sama sepintar
Sepintar
Se-berat dari
Seberat
Se-indah seperti
Seindah
Se-kuat dari pada
Sekuat
Se-cepat dengan
Secepat
Sentence Patterns
Dia ___ saya.
Rumah ini tidak ___ rumah itu.
Apakah dia ___ yang kamu pikir?
Proyek ini ___ proyek sebelumnya.
Real World Usage
Barang ini semahal yang itu.
Dia setinggi saya.
Pengalaman saya setara dengan syarat.
Jaraknya sejauh 10km.
Pemandangannya seindah surga.
Porsinya sebesar yang kemarin.
Think 'One'
No Spaces
Use with 'mungkin'
Be Natural
Smart Tips
Use 'se-' to sound more natural than 'sama dengan'.
Use 'sebesar' instead of 'sama besar'.
Use 'se-' + adjective + 'mungkin'.
Use 'se-' for intelligence or beauty.
Pronunciation
Stress
Stress the root word, not the prefix.
Declarative
Dia setinggi saya. ↘
Neutral statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Se- is like a 'Same-o' meter; it measures if two things are the same.
Visual Association
Imagine two identical twins standing back to back. One twin has a giant 'SE' sticker on their shirt, showing they are 'SE-tinggi' (as tall as) the other.
Rhyme
Add 'se-' to the front, for a perfect equal hunt.
Story
Budi and Andi are best friends. Budi is smart, and Andi is just as smart. People say, 'Andi sepintar Budi'. They are always together, doing everything at the same level.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at three objects in your room. Write one sentence for each using the 'se-' prefix to compare them to something else.
Cultural Notes
Using 'se-' is a sign of good command of the language. It shows you aren't just translating word-for-word from English.
In Jakarta, 'se-' is often used with 'gede' (big) instead of 'besar'.
In formal writing, avoid slang like 'segde' and stick to 'sebesar'.
The 'se-' prefix is a Proto-Austronesian remnant meaning 'one' or 'same'.
Conversation Starters
Apakah kamu setinggi temanmu?
Apakah kota ini semahal Jakarta?
Menurutmu, apakah dia sepintar yang orang katakan?
Apakah proyek ini sesulit yang kita bayangkan?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Dia ___ saya.
Mana yang benar?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia lebih setinggi saya.
Dia tinggi seperti saya.
A: Apakah tas ini berat? B: Ya, ___ tas itu.
dia / pintar / kakaknya
sebesar / rumah / itu / rumah / ini
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesDia ___ saya.
Mana yang benar?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia lebih setinggi saya.
Dia tinggi seperti saya.
A: Apakah tas ini berat? B: Ya, ___ tas itu.
dia / pintar / kakaknya
sebesar / rumah / itu / rumah / ini
Setinggi
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is very productive and works with almost all descriptive adjectives.
No, it just adds the comparative 'as... as' meaning.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
That is a different 'se-' meaning 'one' or 'whole'.
Yes, just add 'tidak' before it.
No, 'se-' is a prefix for adjectives, 'sama' is a noun/adj.
Your sentence might sound incomplete or grammatically wrong.
Usually not, it's for qualities.
In Other Languages
tan... como
Indonesian is more compact.
aussi... que
Indonesian uses a prefix.
so... wie
Indonesian uses a prefix.
to onaji kurai
Indonesian is a single word.
mithl
Indonesian is a prefix.
he... yiyang
Indonesian is a prefix.
