Jago merah
Fire
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A vivid Indonesian idiom that personifies a destructive fire as a 'red rooster' or 'red champion' attacking a building.
- Means: A large, destructive, or out-of-control fire (max 15 words)
- Used in: News headlines, storytelling, and describing house fires (max 15 words)
- Don't confuse: With a literal red-colored chicken or a sports champion (max 15 words)
Explanation at your level:
معنی
A figurative term for a destructive fire.
زمینه فرهنگی
Indonesian news is known for being quite dramatic and metaphorical. Using 'Si Jago Merah' is considered better writing than just saying 'kebakaran' because it engages the reader's imagination. Although illegal in many parts of modern Indonesia, cockfighting is a deep-seated cultural tradition in places like Bali and Java. The 'jago' is a symbol of pride and fierce competition. Red (merah) in Indonesia often symbolizes courage (berani), as seen in the national flag. However, in this idiom, it takes on the more primal meaning of heat and danger. In many Indonesian neighborhoods (RT/RW), people use 'gotong royong' (mutual aid) to fight fires before the trucks arrive. They will shout 'Ada jago merah!' to wake everyone up.
Use 'Si'
Always use 'Si' before 'jago merah' to sound more like a native speaker or a news reporter.
Not for cooking!
Never use this phrase when talking about cooking or candles, or people will think your house is burning down!
معنی
A figurative term for a destructive fire.
Use 'Si'
Always use 'Si' before 'jago merah' to sound more like a native speaker or a news reporter.
Not for cooking!
Never use this phrase when talking about cooking or candles, or people will think your house is burning down!
Pair with 'Melalap'
The most natural verb to use with this idiom is 'melalap' (to devour).
Dramatic Flair
Use this idiom when you want to sound more descriptive and less like a textbook.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
Berita hari ini: Si ____ merah melalap lima rumah di Bandung.
The correct idiom is 'jago merah'.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'jago merah'?
Kapan kita menggunakan kata 'jago merah'?
'Jago merah' is only for destructive, large fires.
Match the verb with the idiom 'Si Jago Merah'.
Pasangkan kata kerja yang sering digunakan dengan Si Jago Merah.
Fire 'devours' (melalap), 'rages' (mengamuk), and people 'extinguish' (memadamkan) it.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Lihat asap hitam itu!' B: 'Wah, sepertinya ada ____ di sana.'
In the context of smoke and fire, 'jago merah' is the best fit.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Api vs. Jago Merah
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt is neutral-formal. It's used in news and literature, but also in everyday serious talk.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'merah'.
Literally yes, but it often means 'champion' or 'expert' (e.g., jago matematika).
Not at all, but it describes a sad/scary event, so use a serious tone.
Because of the cultural history of cockfighting in Indonesia.
No, only for destructive fires (kebakaran).
Not mandatory, but 90% of the time it is used.
There isn't a direct idiom, but 'air' (water) is its natural enemy.
Only if you are a journalist or discussing disaster management!
Yes, 'Si Jago Merah' is also understood and used in Malay.
عبارات مرتبط
melalap habis
similarTo devour completely
mengamuk
similarTo go on a rampage
pemadam kebakaran
builds onFirefighters
api unggun
contrastBonfire/Campfire
jagoan
builds onA hero or a tough person
کجا استفاده کنیم
Watching the evening news
News Anchor: Si jago merah melalap sebuah ruko di Jakarta Barat.
Viewer: Wah, kasihan sekali pemilik ruko itu.
Gossiping with a neighbor
Neighbor A: Kamu dengar kabar? Ada jago merah di pasar tadi pagi.
Neighbor B: Iya, untung pemadam kebakaran cepat datang.
Reading a novel
Narrator: Malam itu, si jago merah menari dengan liarnya di tengah hutan.
Reporting a fire (Emergency)
Caller: Halo, Pemadam? Ada si jago merah di Jalan Melati!
Operator: Baik, kami segera kirim mobil pemadam.
Social Media (Twitter/X)
User123: Si jago merah lagi beraksi di deket rumah gue. Serem banget!
Safety Training at Work
Trainer: Kita harus waspada agar si jago merah tidak muncul di kantor ini.
Employee: Siap, Pak. Kami akan cek kabel listrik.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Jago' (Champion Rooster) with 'Merah' (Red) feathers fighting a building. Fire is the red champion of destruction.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant, glowing red rooster standing on top of a burning house, flapping its wings to spread the flames. The rooster's comb looks exactly like a flickering flame.
Rhyme
Jago merah, api marah. (Red rooster, angry fire.)
Story
A village had a champion rooster that was very aggressive. One day, a fire broke out and moved so fast it looked like that rooster jumping from house to house. Now, everyone calls a big fire the 'Red Rooster'.
Word Web
چالش
Try to find one Indonesian news headline online today that uses the phrase 'Si Jago Merah'.
In Other Languages
Den roten Hahn aufs Dach setzen
Indonesian uses it for any big fire, while German is more specific to arson.
Llamas voraces
Spanish focuses on the action of eating, while Indonesian focuses on the character of the rooster.
Le sinistre
French is more abstract and formal.
江戸の華 (Edo no Hana)
Japanese uses beauty (flowers) to describe the tragedy, while Indonesian uses aggression (rooster).
الشيطان الأحمر (Al-Shaytan al-Ahmar)
Arabic uses a demonic figure, Indonesian uses a fighting animal.
火魔 (Huǒmó)
Similar personification, but using a mythological creature instead of a rooster.
화마 (Hwama)
Uses horse imagery to emphasize speed and power.
Línguas de fogo
Focuses on physical appearance (tongues) rather than personality (rooster).
Easily Confused
Learners might think it always means fire.
If 'ayam' is present, it's usually a real bird. If it's just 'jago merah', it's fire.
Both involve the color red and heat.
'Merah membara' means 'glowing red' (like hot coals), while 'jago merah' is the fire itself.
سوالات متداول (10)
It is neutral-formal. It's used in news and literature, but also in everyday serious talk.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'merah'.
Literally yes, but it often means 'champion' or 'expert' (e.g., jago matematika).
Not at all, but it describes a sad/scary event, so use a serious tone.
Because of the cultural history of cockfighting in Indonesia.
No, only for destructive fires (kebakaran).
Not mandatory, but 90% of the time it is used.
There isn't a direct idiom, but 'air' (water) is its natural enemy.
Only if you are a journalist or discussing disaster management!
Yes, 'Si Jago Merah' is also understood and used in Malay.
