Phrase in 30 Seconds
Anak buah refers to the people who work under a leader or manager, commonly used for staff, crew, or followers.
- Means: Staff members or subordinates working under a boss.
- Used in: Offices, ships (crew), and even informal groups or gangs.
- Don't confuse: With 'buah hati', which means 'beloved child' or 'sweetheart'.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Staff members or followers
Contexto cultural
The term reflects 'Kekeluargaan', where the office is seen as an extension of the family. A boss is often called 'Pak' (Father) or 'Bu' (Mother). Indonesia's history as a maritime empire (like Srivijaya and Majapahit) is embedded in this phrase. The crew was the lifeblood of the economy. Indonesian society is generally comfortable with clear hierarchies. Using 'anak buah' is not seen as insulting, but as a clear description of roles. In modern Jakarta tech hubs, 'anak buah' is slowly being replaced by 'team member' to sound more egalitarian and Westernized.
Use for Teams
If you are a project leader, calling your team 'anak buah saya' sounds very natural and authoritative yet warm.
Hierarchy Matters
Never call someone your 'anak buah' if they are actually your peer or superior. It can sound arrogant.
Use for Teams
If you are a project leader, calling your team 'anak buah saya' sounds very natural and authoritative yet warm.
Hierarchy Matters
Never call someone your 'anak buah' if they are actually your peer or superior. It can sound arrogant.
The ABK Acronym
If you read news about the sea, 'ABK' is the only term you'll see. Memorize it!
The Paternal Vibe
Remember that 'anak buah' implies you care for them like a 'parent' figure in the workplace.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct meaning of 'anak buah' in this sentence: 'Kapten itu sangat bangga pada anak buahnya.'
What does 'anak buah' mean here?
In the context of a 'Kapten' (Captain), 'anak buah' refers to the crew.
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Manajer itu memiliki sepuluh _______ di kantornya.
'Anak buah' is the only phrase here that means staff/subordinates.
Match the term to the situation.
Which term is most likely used for a ship's crew in a news report?
ABK stands for Anak Buah Kapal, the standard term for ship crew.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Siapa orang-orang itu? B: Mereka adalah _______ saya. Mereka membantu saya di proyek ini.
Since they are 'helping' with a 'project', 'anak buah' (staff) is the logical choice.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Hierarchy in Indonesian
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosWhat does 'anak buah' mean here?
In the context of a 'Kapten' (Captain), 'anak buah' refers to the crew.
Manajer itu memiliki sepuluh _______ di kantornya.
'Anak buah' is the only phrase here that means staff/subordinates.
Which term is most likely used for a ship's crew in a news report?
ABK stands for Anak Buah Kapal, the standard term for ship crew.
A: Siapa orang-orang itu? B: Mereka adalah _______ saya. Mereka membantu saya di proyek ini.
Since they are 'helping' with a 'project', 'anak buah' (staff) is the logical choice.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasNo, it is a standard, neutral term for subordinates. However, in very modern or flat companies, 'tim' (team) might be preferred.
No. For biological children, just use 'anak'. 'Anak buah' is strictly for subordinates/staff.
The plural is 'anak-anak buah', but often people just say 'anak buah' and the plural is understood from context.
Yes, the term is gender-neutral. It applies to both men and women.
The opposite is 'atasan' (superior/boss).
Yes, it is very common in the military to refer to soldiers under a commander.
Usually no. For students, use 'murid' or 'siswa'. 'Anak buah' implies a work or command relationship.
It stands for Anak Buah Kapal, meaning ship's crew.
'Bawahan' is more formal and literal. 'Anak buah' is more idiomatic and common in speech.
Only if there is a very clear 'leader' of the group, like in a movie or a gang context.
Not inherently, but it can be used negatively when referring to 'anak buah preman' (thug's henchmen).
You can say 'staf saya' or 'karyawan saya'.
Frases relacionadas
Buah hati
similarBeloved child or sweetheart
Anak emas
specialized formGolden child / Favorite subordinate
Kaki tangan
similarRight-hand man / Henchman
Tangan kanan
similarRight-hand man
Bawahan
synonymSubordinate
Dónde usarla
In the Office
Manager: Saya harus rapat dengan anak buah saya jam dua.
Secretary: Baik, Pak. Saya akan siapkan ruangannya.
On a Boat
Tourist: Siapa saja yang bekerja di kapal ini?
Captain: Saya punya dua puluh anak buah kapal yang berpengalaman.
Action Movie Scene
Villain: Cepat panggil semua anak buah kita! Musuh sudah datang!
Henchman: Siap, Bos!
Job Interview
Interviewer: Berapa banyak anak buah yang pernah Anda pimpin?
Candidate: Di perusahaan sebelumnya, saya memimpin lima belas anak buah.
At a Restaurant
Owner: Anak buah saya lupa mencatat pesanan Anda. Maaf ya.
Customer: Tidak apa-apa, Pak.
Sports Coaching
Reporter: Bagaimana persiapan tim Anda?
Coach: Anak buah saya sudah berlatih keras untuk pertandingan ini.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a boss as a 'Tree' and the workers as the 'Fruit' (Buah) that the tree produces. The 'Children' (Anak) of the tree are the workers.
Asociación visual
Imagine a large ship captain standing on the deck, surrounded by his crew. Instead of sailors, imagine they are small walking fruits. They are the 'Fruit Children' of the ship.
Rhyme
Anak buah, bekerja di bawah. (Subordinates work below/underneath).
Story
Once there was a giant fruit tree in an office. The manager was the trunk. Every time a new employee was hired, a new piece of fruit grew on the branches. The manager called them his 'Anak Buah' because they were the children of his hard work.
In Other Languages
In Japanese, 'Buka' (部下) has a similar hierarchical feel. In English, 'crew' or 'staff' are the closest equivalents, though they lack the 'child' metaphor.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find a news article from an Indonesian site like Kompas or Detik and search for the term 'ABK'. See if you can figure out what happened to the ship's crew in that story.
Review this phrase every time you think about your coworkers or your boss.
Pronunciación
The 'k' at the end is a glottal stop, like the middle of 'uh-oh'.
The 'h' at the end is soft but audible, like a gentle sigh.
Espectro de formalidad
Saya memiliki lima orang bawahan. (Talking about team size)
Saya punya lima anak buah. (Talking about team size)
Anak buahku ada lima. (Talking about team size)
Gue megang lima anak buah. (Talking about team size)
Derived from the maritime culture of the Malay archipelago. 'Anak' (child) + 'Buah' (fruit/member).
Dato curioso
The word 'buah' is also used as a classifier for objects in Indonesian (e.g., 'sebuah buku'), showing its root meaning of 'a unit' or 'a piece'.
Notas culturales
The term reflects 'Kekeluargaan', where the office is seen as an extension of the family. A boss is often called 'Pak' (Father) or 'Bu' (Mother).
“Seorang bos sering dianggap sebagai orang tua bagi anak buahnya.”
Indonesia's history as a maritime empire (like Srivijaya and Majapahit) is embedded in this phrase. The crew was the lifeblood of the economy.
“Istilah ABK (Anak Buah Kapal) sangat penting di negara kepulauan seperti Indonesia.”
Indonesian society is generally comfortable with clear hierarchies. Using 'anak buah' is not seen as insulting, but as a clear description of roles.
“Penggunaan kata 'anak buah' menunjukkan hierarki yang jelas namun tetap akrab.”
In modern Jakarta tech hubs, 'anak buah' is slowly being replaced by 'team member' to sound more egalitarian and Westernized.
“Di startup, mereka lebih suka menggunakan kata 'tim' daripada 'anak buah'.”
Inicios de conversación
Berapa banyak anak buah yang Anda miliki di kantor?
Bagaimana cara Anda memimpin anak buah Anda?
Apakah Anda lebih suka menjadi pemimpin atau anak buah?
Errores comunes
Anak buah saya adalah apel dan jeruk.
Buah-buahan saya adalah apel dan jeruk.
L1 Interference
Saya adalah anak buah dari ayah saya.
Saya adalah anak dari ayah saya.
L1 Interference
Bos saya adalah anak buah saya.
Saya adalah anak buah bos saya.
L1 Interference
Anak buah-anak buah saya.
Anak-anak buah saya.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Subordinados / Mi gente
Spanish doesn't use a 'child/fruit' metaphor.
Subordonnés / Équipe
French lacks the paternalistic 'child' nuance.
Mitarbeiter / Untergebene
German terms are either very egalitarian or very cold.
Buka (部下)
Buka is more formal and doesn't use the 'child' metaphor.
Tābi‘ (تابع)
Lacks the maritime/fruit origin story.
Xiàshǔ (下属)
Purely descriptive of position, not a 'family' metaphor.
Buha (부하)
Often used in 'Buha-jikwon' (subordinate employee).
Subordinados
Lacks the idiomatic 'fruit' imagery.
Spotted in the Real World
“Habisi mereka dan semua anak buahnya!”
The crime lord ordering his henchmen to kill the police.
“Sepuluh ABK asal Indonesia disandera di perairan Filipina.”
Reporting on Indonesian sailors being taken hostage.
“Kamu harus jaga anak buah kamu dengan baik.”
A retired thug giving advice to his successor.
Fácil de confundir
Both start with 'Buah' or contain 'Anak' and 'Buah'.
Remember: 'Anak buah' works for you; 'Buah hati' lives in your heart.
Both are 'Buah' idioms.
Buah tangan is a souvenir or gift you bring from a trip.
Preguntas frecuentes (12)
No, it is a standard, neutral term for subordinates. However, in very modern or flat companies, 'tim' (team) might be preferred.
basic understandingNo. For biological children, just use 'anak'. 'Anak buah' is strictly for subordinates/staff.
common mistakesThe plural is 'anak-anak buah', but often people just say 'anak buah' and the plural is understood from context.
grammar mechanicsYes, the term is gender-neutral. It applies to both men and women.
usage contextsThe opposite is 'atasan' (superior/boss).
comparisonsYes, it is very common in the military to refer to soldiers under a commander.
usage contextsUsually no. For students, use 'murid' or 'siswa'. 'Anak buah' implies a work or command relationship.
usage contextsIt stands for Anak Buah Kapal, meaning ship's crew.
practical tips'Bawahan' is more formal and literal. 'Anak buah' is more idiomatic and common in speech.
comparisonsOnly if there is a very clear 'leader' of the group, like in a movie or a gang context.
usage contextsNot inherently, but it can be used negatively when referring to 'anak buah preman' (thug's henchmen).
cultural usageYou can say 'staf saya' or 'karyawan saya'.
practical tips
