Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Kabar burung' to describe rumors or unverified information that people are whispering about.
- Means: Unconfirmed news or rumors circulating in a community.
- Used in: Casual chats about celebrities, office gossip, or neighborhood news.
- Don't confuse: With 'berita resmi' which is verified, official news.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Information that is not yet proven
Cultural Background
In Indonesia, 'kabar burung' is often shared during 'nongkrong' (hanging out). It's a way to bond, though people are usually aware that the info might be false. In Javanese culture, there is a concept of 'gethok tular', which is the spreading of news by word of mouth. 'Kabar burung' is the content of 'gethok tular'. With the rise of WhatsApp groups, 'kabar burung' spreads faster than ever, often leading to the term 'hoaks' being used more frequently for serious misinformation. Indonesian TV gossip shows (infotainment) thrive on 'kabar burung'. They often use the phrase to avoid lawsuits while reporting on celebrity lives.
Use it to be polite
If you want to share something but don't want to sound like a gossip-monger, start with 'Katanya ada kabar burung...' to show you are skeptical.
Don't use in formal emails
In a formal email to a client or boss, use 'informasi yang belum terkonfirmasi' instead of 'kabar burung'.
Use it to be polite
If you want to share something but don't want to sound like a gossip-monger, start with 'Katanya ada kabar burung...' to show you are skeptical.
Don't use in formal emails
In a formal email to a client or boss, use 'informasi yang belum terkonfirmasi' instead of 'kabar burung'.
The 'Santer' Collocation
Use the word 'santer' (widespread) with 'kabar burung' to sound like a native. 'Kabar burung itu sangat santer terdengar.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
Saya tidak percaya berita itu karena hanya kabar ______.
The idiom is 'kabar burung'. While 'kabar angin' also exists, 'burung' is the most common choice here.
What does 'kabar burung' mean in this sentence?
'Ada kabar burung bahwa kantor akan pindah.'
'Kabar burung' translates to 'rumor' or 'unverified news'.
Match the response to the situation.
Someone tells you: 'Katanya bos mau kasih bonus besar bulan depan!' (They say the boss wants to give a big bonus next month!)
This is a natural way to respond to unverified good news.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kamu tahu kenapa dia menangis? B: Ada _________ katanya dia putus sama pacarnya.
'Kabar burung' is the correct noun phrase to describe the rumor about the breakup.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesSaya tidak percaya berita itu karena hanya kabar ______.
The idiom is 'kabar burung'. While 'kabar angin' also exists, 'burung' is the most common choice here.
'Ada kabar burung bahwa kantor akan pindah.'
'Kabar burung' translates to 'rumor' or 'unverified news'.
Someone tells you: 'Katanya bos mau kasih bonus besar bulan depan!' (They say the boss wants to give a big bonus next month!)
This is a natural way to respond to unverified good news.
A: Kamu tahu kenapa dia menangis? B: Ada _________ katanya dia putus sama pacarnya.
'Kabar burung' is the correct noun phrase to describe the rumor about the breakup.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It can be about positive things like bonuses or holidays, but it always implies the information is unconfirmed.
No, idioms are fixed. Only 'burung' (bird) or 'angin' (wind) work here.
'Kabar burung' is a general rumor that might be true or false. 'Hoaks' is specifically fake news intended to deceive.
It's better to avoid it unless you have a very casual relationship. Use 'saya dengar isu...' or 'ada kabar bahwa...' instead.
You can say 'Saya dengar kabar burung' or simply 'Ada kabar burung'.
No, it just means it's unverified. Sometimes 'kabar burung' turns out to be 100% true!
No, 'kabar burung' is used for both single and multiple rumors.
Journalists often use it, but usually in quotes or when referring to 'rumors circulating in the community'.
'Mendengar' (to hear) and 'Menyebarkan' (to spread).
No, they are on the same level of formality. 'Kabar burung' is slightly more idiomatic.
Related Phrases
Kabar angin
synonymNews of the wind; rumors.
Desas-desus
similarWhispers or rumors.
Isu
similarIssue or rumor.
Hoaks
contrastHoax or fake news.
Fitnah
contrastSlander or libel.
Where to Use It
At the office
Andi: Kamu dengar kabar burung tentang manajer baru?
Budi: Belum, apa katanya?
Celebrity gossip
Santi: Ada kabar burung artis itu mau cerai.
Rina: Ah, itu paling cuma kabar burung saja.
School rumors
Siswa A: Katanya besok libur, ada kabar burung begitu.
Siswa B: Semoga saja itu benar!
Market/Trading
Trader A: Harga saham ini naik karena kabar burung akuisisi.
Trader B: Hati-hati, jangan beli cuma karena kabar burung.
Neighborhood chat
Ibu RT: Ada kabar burung tanah kosong itu mau dibangun mal.
Warga: Wah, nanti jadi macet ya?
Social Media
Netizen: Lagi ramai kabar burung tentang produk baru ini.
Admin: Tunggu rilis resminya ya, Kak!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a bird (burung) flying into your ear to give you news (kabar) that quickly flies away before you can check it.
Visual Association
Imagine a small blue bird wearing a mailman's hat, but instead of a letter, it's whispering into someone's ear while looking around suspiciously.
Rhyme
Kabar burung, jangan bingung. (Bird news, don't be confused.)
Story
Budi heard that the school was closed. He told Susi, Susi told Andi. By the time it reached the teacher, everyone realized it was just a 'kabar burung' because the bird that brought the news had no wings—it was just a whisper!
In Other Languages
Similar to 'a little bird told me' in English, but 'kabar burung' refers to the rumor itself, not the source. In Spanish, 'radio macuto' has a similar vibe of unverified transmission.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find one 'kabar burung' on an Indonesian news site or social media comment section today and label it.
Review this phrase in 1 day, then 3 days, then 1 week to lock in the 'Bird = Rumor' connection.
Pronunciation
The 'a' is like in 'father', and the 'r' is slightly trilled.
The 'u' is like in 'boot', and 'ng' is a single sound like in 'sing'.
Formality Spectrum
Terdapat desas-desus bahwa beliau akan mengundurkan diri. (Workplace resignation)
Ada kabar burung dia mau mengundurkan diri. (Workplace resignation)
Dengar-dengar dia mau cabut, kabar burungnya sih gitu. (Workplace resignation)
Katanya doi mau resign, spill-an kabar burung nih. (Workplace resignation)
The phrase likely dates back to the era of the Dutch East Indies or earlier, reflecting the universal human observation of birds as swift, untraceable messengers. In Malay (the basis for Indonesian), 'kabar' comes from Arabic 'khabar' (news), and 'burung' is the native Austronesian word for bird.
Fun Fact
In some Indonesian regions, people believe that if a bird chirps near your house, it's a sign that a guest is coming—a literal 'kabar burung'!
Cultural Notes
In Indonesia, 'kabar burung' is often shared during 'nongkrong' (hanging out). It's a way to bond, though people are usually aware that the info might be false.
“Lagi asyik nongkrong, tiba-tiba ada kabar burung.”
In Javanese culture, there is a concept of 'gethok tular', which is the spreading of news by word of mouth. 'Kabar burung' is the content of 'gethok tular'.
“Berita itu menyebar secara gethok tular lewat kabar burung.”
With the rise of WhatsApp groups, 'kabar burung' spreads faster than ever, often leading to the term 'hoaks' being used more frequently for serious misinformation.
“Hati-hati dengan kabar burung di grup WhatsApp keluarga.”
Indonesian TV gossip shows (infotainment) thrive on 'kabar burung'. They often use the phrase to avoid lawsuits while reporting on celebrity lives.
“Acara gosip itu penuh dengan kabar burung.”
Conversation Starters
Apakah kamu pernah dengar kabar burung yang ternyata benar?
Apa kabar burung terbaru di kantormu atau sekolahmu?
Bagaimana cara membedakan kabar burung dan fakta di internet?
Common Mistakes
Berita burung
Kabar burung
L1 Interference
Kabar burung-burung
Kabar burung
L1 Interference
Saya dengar burung kabar
Saya dengar kabar burung
L1 Interference
Kabar burung ini sangat resmi
Kabar burung ini sangat santer
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Radio macuto
Spanish uses a technology metaphor (radio), Indonesian uses a nature metaphor (bird).
Bruit de couloir
French is more specific to office/institutional settings.
Buschtrommel
German uses an auditory/percussion metaphor.
Uwasa (噂)
Japanese is a single word rather than a compound idiom like 'bird news'.
Sha'i'a (شائعة)
Arabic uses a root meaning 'to spread' rather than a bird metaphor.
Xiǎo dào xiāo xī (小道消息)
Chinese focuses on the 'path' of the information.
Somun (소문)
Korean focuses on the 'sound' (mun) being heard.
Boato
Portuguese is more formal/standard than the idiomatic Indonesian version.
Spotted in the Real World
“Kabar burung yang kudengar...”
A classic pop song about hearing rumors of a loved one.
“Kabar burung soal reshuffle kabinet kembali menguat.”
Headline about potential government changes.
“Jangan percaya kabar burung itu, Boi.”
A father advising his son not to listen to local gossip.
“Lagi banyak kabar burung nih di TL.”
A user commenting on the amount of rumors on their timeline.
“Kabar burung itu sampai juga ke telingaku.”
The protagonist hearing rumors about his social standing.
Easily Confused
Learners often flip the words because of English 'bird news' word order.
Remember: Noun (Kabar) + Modifier (Burung).
Using 'Berita' instead of 'Kabar'.
'Kabar' is for information/news in a general sense; 'Berita' is more for a formal news report.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Not necessarily. It can be about positive things like bonuses or holidays, but it always implies the information is unconfirmed.
basic understandingNo, idioms are fixed. Only 'burung' (bird) or 'angin' (wind) work here.
grammar mechanics'Kabar burung' is a general rumor that might be true or false. 'Hoaks' is specifically fake news intended to deceive.
comparisonsIt's better to avoid it unless you have a very casual relationship. Use 'saya dengar isu...' or 'ada kabar bahwa...' instead.
usage contextsYou can say 'Saya dengar kabar burung' or simply 'Ada kabar burung'.
practical tipsNo, it just means it's unverified. Sometimes 'kabar burung' turns out to be 100% true!
basic understandingNo, 'kabar burung' is used for both single and multiple rumors.
grammar mechanicsJournalists often use it, but usually in quotes or when referring to 'rumors circulating in the community'.
usage contexts'Mendengar' (to hear) and 'Menyebarkan' (to spread).
grammar mechanicsNo, they are on the same level of formality. 'Kabar burung' is slightly more idiomatic.
comparisons
