Welcome to MasteringBahasa! Glad to see you here! If you are new to this site, we are pleased to see you! MasteringBahasa is not the first but the best site for you, travelers in Indonesia, to learn Indonesian language in days! If you need a quick guide to talk in Indonesian for traveling purposes, kindly check Indonesian Phrases for Travellers! But for you guys who had been learning Indonesian language with us, we are pleased to see you again! Today we are going to learn Indonesian Compound Words!
In English, we understand “Compound Word” as “a word that is made up of two or more other words”. There are several compound words in English language too. For example, the word of “dragon” with “fly”. You know dragon, right? That mystical creature that blows fire, yes! But if the noun “dragon” meets the the noun of “fly”, it does not mean a dragon who eats a fly, or flying dragon. When “dragon” meets “fly” it became “dragonfly”, another kind of insect. If you are not familiar with English Compound Words, MasteringBahasa will shows you some examples of English compound words before we meet Indonesian compound words:
Words 1[/th] [th]+[/th][th]Words 2[/th] [th]=[/th] [th]Compound Words
Dragon[/td] [td][/td][td]Fly[/td] [td][/td]Â [td]Dragonfly
Eye[/td][td][/td] [td]Balls[/td][td][/td] [td]Eyeballs
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Plane[/td][td][/td] [td]Airplane
Honey[/td] [td][/td][td]Moon[/td] [td][/td][td]Honeymoon
Fire[/td][td][/td] [td]House[/td] [td][/td][td]Firehouse
Rain[/td] [td][/td][td]Bow[/td][td][/td] [td]Rainbow
Day[/td] [td][/td][td]Dream[/td][td][/td] [td]Daydream
News[/td] [td][/td][td]Paper[/td] [td][/td][td]Newspaper
Grand[/td] [td][/td][td]Father[/td] [td][/td][td]Grandfather
Car[/td][td][/td] [td]Sick[/td][td][/td] [td]Carsick
Lip[/td][td][/td] [td]Stick[/td][td][/td] [td]Lipstick
Fish[/td][td][/td] [td]Bowl[/td][td][/td] [td]Fishbowl
Tea[/td] [td][/td][td]Spoon[/td][td][/td] [td]Teaspoon
Sister[/td][td][/td] [td]Hood[/td][td][/td] [td]Sisterhood
School[/td][td][/td] [td]Bus[/td] [td][/td][td]Schoolbus
As you can see, some words are not related with each other. For example, “carsick” made from a noun of “car” and an adjective of “sick”. Does it mean “carsick” is a car which is sick? That does not make sense! But the compound word of “carsick” means a situation of a person who feels sick after riding with car. That rules also applied in Indonesian language. In Indonesian language, you will understand it as Kata Majemuk. Just like English compounds, Indonesian compound words made by two or more words to make a new words. The difference with English compounds is that Indonesian compound words still separating the words they are compounding. To learn about nouns in Indonesian, you can see them here: Indonesian Common Nouns and Indonesian Basic Words.
1. Noun + Noun
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of two nouns!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Rumah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Penginapan[/td][td][/td] [td]Rumah Penginapan[/td] [td]Motel
Rumah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Susun[/td] [td][/td] [td]Rumah Susun (Rusun)[/td] [td]A mansion, an apartment
Rumah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Toko[/td][td][/td] [td]Rumah Toko (Ruko)[/td] [td]A shop with a place to stay
Rumah[/td][td][/td] [td]Kaca[/td] [td][/td] [td]Rumah Kaca[/td] [td]Glasshouse, to keep plants
Anak[/td][td][/td] [td]Emas[/td] [td][/td] [td]Anak Emas[/td] [td]The most spoiled child
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Buah[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Buah[/td] [td]Staffs
Anak[/td][td][/td] [td]Bawang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Anak Bawang[/td] [td]A child who knows nothing in a game
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Angin[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Angin[/td] [td]Soft Winds
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bangsa[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Bangsa[/td] [td]Young Indonesians
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Sekolah[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Sekolah[/td] [td]Students
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tangga[/td] [td][/td] [td]Anak Tangga[/td] [td]Each steps of a stairs
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tunggal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Anak Tunggal[/td] [td]Anak Tunggal
Anak[/td][td][/td] [td]Sulung[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Sulung[/td] [td]The eldest child
Anak[/td][td][/td] [td]Bungsu[/td] [td][/td] [td]Anak Bungsu[/td] [td]The youngest child
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Lidah[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Lidah[/td] [td]An Uvula
Kapal[/td][td][/td] [td]Api[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Api[/td] [td]A ship which uses coals or logs to turn the machine up
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bendera[/td][td][/td] [td]Kapal Bendera[/td] [td]The biggest ship for commander or lieutenant
Kapal[/td][td][/td] [td]Cuaca[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Cuaca[/td] [td]A ship that detects weather
Kapal[/td][td][/td] [td]Motor[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Motor[/td] [td]A small boat that is operated by a motor
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Penumpang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Penumpang[/td] [td]A ship that transports people.
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Perang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Perang[/td] [td]A Warship
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Pesiar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Pesiar[/td] [td]A Cruise Ship
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Selam[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Selam[/td] [td]A submarine
Kapal[/td][td][/td] [td]Tangki[/td][td][/td] [td]Kapal Tangki[/td] [td]A ship that transports oils
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Aki[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air Aki[/td] [td]Accu Water
Air[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tawar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air Tawar[/td] [td]Unsalted Water
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Bersih[/td][td][/td] [td]Air Bersih[/td] [td]Drinkable Water
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Irigasi[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air Irigasi[/td] [td]Irrigation Water, Water for Fields
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Mata[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air Mata[/td] [td]Tears
Air[/td] [td][/td] [td]Mineral[/td][td][/td] [td]Air Mineral[/td] [td]Drinking water that contains beneficial minerals
Meja[/td][td][/td] [td]Hijau[/td] [td][/td] [td]Meja Hijau[/td] [td]Court
Cakar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Ayam[/td][td][/td] [td]Cakar Ayam[/td] [td]Bad Writing
Akad[/td] [td][/td] [td]Nikah[/td][td][/td] [td]Akad Nikah[/td] [td]Marriage Contract
Sapu[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tangan[/td][td][/td] [td]Sapu Tangan[/td] [td]Handkerchief
Jam[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tangan[/td][td][/td] [td]Jam Tangan[/td] [td]Watch
Wajah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Buku[/td][td][/td] [td]Wajah Buku[/td] [td]Book Cover
Suara[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Suara Hati[/td] [td]Conscience
Suara[/td] [td][/td] [td]Rakyat[/td][td][/td] [td]Suara Rakyat[/td] [td]Votes
Jalan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tikus[/td][td][/td] [td]Jalan Tikus[/td] [td]Very small roads
Tuan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tanah[/td][td][/td] [td]Tuan Tanah[/td] [td]Landlord
Kulit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Badak[/td][td][/td] [td]Kulit Badak[/td] [td]A person that has no heart
Tanah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Tanah Air[/td] [td]The country where a person is born
Darah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Daging[/td][td][/td] [td]Darah Daging[/td] [td]Descendants
Arah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tujuan[/td][td][/td] [td]Arah Tujuan[/td] [td]Where to Go
Kucir[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kuda[/td][td][/td] [td]Kucir Kuda[/td] [td]Ponytail
Uang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Adat[/td][td][/td] [td]Uang Adat[/td] [td]Money to pay administration
Anggota[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tubuh[/td][td][/td] [td]Anggota Tubuh[/td] [td]Refers to hands, legs, and head
Alam[/td] [td][/td] [td]Semesta[/td][td][/td] [td]Alam Semesta[/td] [td]Universe
You can use those compound words in any kind of sentences as a noun or adverb of places. Just never forget to add prepositions in it! Kindly check  Indonesian Prepositions to learn more of prepositions in Indonesian language!
2. Verb + Adjective
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of a verb and an adjective!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Kerja[/td][td][/td] [td]Bakti[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kerja Bakti[/td] [td]Devotion Work
Kerja[/td] [td][/td] [td]Keras[/td][td][/td] [td]Kerja Keras[/td] [td]Hard Work
Kerja[/td][td][/td] [td]Kasar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kerja Kasar[/td] [td]Rough Work
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bebas[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Bebas[/td] [td]To eat and drink for free
Jalan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Santai[/td][td][/td] [td]Jalan Santai[/td] [td]To walk without any intention of going
When you add those compound words into a sentence, you need verbs. If you need some affixes, you can learn them in Indonesian Affixes!
3. Adjective + Noun
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of an adjective and a noun!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Keras[/td][td][/td] [td]Kepala[/td] [td][/td] [td]Keras Kepala[/td] [td]Stubborn
Keras[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Keras Hati[/td] [td]Persistent
Iri[/td][td][/td] [td]Hati[/td] [td][/td] [td]Iri Hati[/td] [td]Envy
Adi[/td] [td][/td] [td]Daya[/td][td][/td] [td]Adi Daya[/td] [td]Superpower
Panjang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tangan[/td][td][/td] [td]Panjang Tangan[/td] [td]Like to steal things
Tinggi[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Tinggi Hati[/td] [td]Snobby
Panas[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Panas Hati[/td] [td]Envious
Dingin[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Dingin Hati[/td] [td]Has no spirit of living
Dingin[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kepala[/td][td][/td] [td]Dingin Kepala[/td] [td]Being sense
Naik[/td] [td][/td] [td]Darah[/td][td][/td] [td]Naik Darah[/td] [td]Very Angry
Those compound words can be used in a sentence. You can learn how to make proper Indonesian sentence in our article of Basic Indonesian Language!
4. Adjective + Adjective
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of two adjectives!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Akal[/td][td][/td] [td]Sehat[/td] [td][/td] [td]Akal Sehat[/td] [td]Common Sense
Cerdik[/td] [td][/td] [td]Pandai[/td][td][/td] [td]Cerdik Pandai[/td] [td]Smart and Clever
Besar[/td][td][/td] [td]Kecil[/td] [td][/td] [td]Besar Kecil[/td] [td]Any kind of size
Tua[/td] [td][/td] [td]Muda[/td][td][/td] [td]Tua Muda[/td] [td]Any kind of age
Sepak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Terjang[/td][td][/td] [td]Sepak Terjang[/td] [td]Hurdles in life
Adi[/td] [td][/td] [td]Daya[/td][td][/td] [td]Adi Daya[/td] [td]Superpower
Hancur[/td] [td][/td] [td]Lebur[/td][td][/td] [td]Hancur Lebur[/td] [td]Destroyed Completely
Serba[/td] [td][/td] [td]Salah[/td][td][/td] [td]Serba Salah[/td] [td]Everything is wrong
Susah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Payah[/td][td][/td] [td]Susah Payah[/td] [td]Very serious
We have an article of Lists of Indonesian Adjectives. This is super helpful, go check them and learn them in days!
5. Noun + Adjective
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of a noun and an adjective!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Rumah[/td][td][/td] [td]Sakit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Rumah Sakit[/td] [td]Hospital
Suara[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bulat[/td][td][/td] [td]Suara Bulat[/td] [td]A deal in a group discussion
Kulit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Putih[/td][td][/td] [td]Kulit Putih[/td] [td]Europeans
Kulit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kuning[/td][td][/td] [td]Kulit Kuning[/td] [td]Asians
Kulit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Merah[/td][td][/td] [td]Kulit Merah[/td] [td]Indians
Kulit[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hitam[/td][td][/td] [td]Kulit Hitam[/td] [td]Africans
Akar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Masalah[/td][td][/td] [td]Akar Masalah[/td] [td]A reason of a problem
Tanah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Merah[/td][td][/td] [td]Tanah Merah[/td] [td]A place to bury dead people
Darah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Biru[/td][td][/td] [td]Darah Biru[/td] [td]Royal Descendants
Darah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tinggi[/td][td][/td] [td]Darah Tinggi[/td] [td]Very angry
Kursi[/td] [td][/td] [td]Malas[/td][td][/td] [td]Kursi Malas[/td] [td]A chair for being lazy
Cacing[/td] [td][/td] [td]Gila[/td][td][/td] [td]Cacing Gila[/td] [td]A girl that like to go everywhere
Uang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Buta[/td][td][/td] [td]Uang Buta[/td] [td]Salary for workers who do not work
Uang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Miskin[/td][td][/td] [td]Uang Miskin[/td] [td]Subsidy
Jalan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Damai[/td][td][/td] [td]Jalan Damai[/td] [td]To deal in peace
Some of the compund words are slangs. If you need more Indonesian slangs, kindly check Indonesian Slangs and How to Say It article to learn about it more!
6. Verb + Noun
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of a verb and a noun!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Rumah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Makan[/td][td][/td] [td]Rumah Makan[/td] [td]Restaurant
Rumah[/td][td][/td] [td]Dinas[/td] [td][/td] [td]Rumah Dinas[/td] [td]A house where someone in duty can live
Anak[/td] [td][/td] [td]Angkat[/td][td][/td] [td]Anak Angkat[/td] [td]Adopted Child
Terjun[/td][td][/td] [td]Payung[/td] [td][/td] [td]Terjun Payung[/td] [td]Skydiving
Alih[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bahasa[/td][td][/td] [td]Alih Bahasa[/td] [td]Translating Procedures
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Angin[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Angin[/td] [td]Walking to find fresh air
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bawang[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Bawang[/td] [td]Very Angry
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Darah[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Darah[/td] [td]To take money from others
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hati[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Hati[/td] [td]Very Sad
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Teman[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Teman[/td] [td]To harm friends
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Uang[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Uang[/td] [td]To corrupt
Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tali[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan Tali[/td] [td]Very poor
Cuci[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tangan[/td][td][/td] [td]Cuci Tangan[/td] [td]Not be involved in a case
Cuci[/td] [td][/td] [td]Perut[/td][td][/td] [td]Cuci Perut[/td] [td]Laxative medicine
Those compound words consist of nouns! If you would like to learn about nouns, kindly check:Â Indonesian Common Nouns!
7. Verb + Verb
Here is a list of Indonesian compound words that consist of two verbs!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Maju[/td] [td][/td] [td]Mundur[/td][td][/td] [td]Maju Mundur[/td] [td]Doubtful
Pulang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Pergi[/td][td][/td] [td]Pulang Pergi[/td] [td]To go and to Come Back
Tipu[/td] [td][/td] [td]Daya[/td][td][/td] [td]Tipu Daya[/td] [td]Frauds
Temu[/td] [td][/td] [td]Wicara[/td][td][/td] [td]Temu Wicara[/td] [td]A meeting for a talk
Keluar[/td] [td][/td] [td]Masuk[/td][td][/td] [td]Keluar Masuk[/td] [td]To go in and to go out
Angkat[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kaki[/td][td][/td] [td]Angkat Kaki[/td] [td]To walk out
Indonesian Negations are beneficial if you want to reject some offer! Learn them in days!
8. Compound Words for Person
These compound words are used to mention someone who masters in something, or someone who has something with them!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Ahli[/td][td][/td] [td]Agama[/td] [td][/td] [td]Ahli Agama[/td] [td]A person who masters religions
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bahasa[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Bahasa[/td] [td]Linguistics
Ahli[/td][td][/td] [td]Gempa[/td] [td][/td] [td]Ahli Gempa[/td] [td]Seismologist
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Geologi[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Geologi[/td] [td]Geologist
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Hukum[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Hukum[/td] [td]A person who masters Laws
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Matematika[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Matematika[/td] [td]Mathematician
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Patung[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Patung[/td] [td]Statue Crafter
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Sejarah[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Sejarah[/td] [td]Historian
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Sihir[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Sihir[/td] [td]Witch
Ahli[/td] [td][/td] [td]Informasi[/td][td][/td] [td]Ahli Informasi[/td] [td]IT technician
Tukang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Pukul[/td][td][/td] [td]Tukang Pukul[/td] [td]Thug
Tukang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Jaga[/td][td][/td] [td]Tukang Jaga[/td] [td]Security
Tukang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Surat[/td][td][/td] [td]Tukang Surat[/td] [td]Mailman
Tukang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kue[/td][td][/td] [td]Tukang Kue[/td] [td]Baker
Tukang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Sate[/td][td][/td] [td]Tukang Sate[/td] [td]A person who sells satay
Orang[/td][td][/td] [td]Tua[/td] [td][/td] [td]Orang Tua[/td] [td]Parents
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Asing[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Asing[/td] [td]Foreigner
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Belakang[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Belakang[/td] [td]Wife
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Dalam[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Dalam[/td] [td]A person who can help you inside a bureaucracy
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Besar[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Besar[/td] [td]Boss
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Ombak[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Ombak[/td] [td]A clueless person
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Pintar[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Pintar[/td] [td]Witch doctor
Orang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Gila[/td][td][/td] [td]Orang Gila[/td] [td]A person with mental illness
9. Noun + Verb
Here is a list of Compound Words of Noun + Verb!
1st Word[/th] [th]+[/th][th]2nd Word[/th][th]=[/th] [th]Indonesian Compound Words[/th] [th]Meaning
Air[/td][td][/td] [td]Minum[/td] [td][/td] [td]Air Minum[/td] [td]Water which is available for drinking purpose
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Terbang[/td][td][/td] [td]Kapal Terbang[/td] [td] Airplane
Kapal[/td] [td][/td] [td]Dagang[/td][td][/td] [td]Kapal Dagang[/td] [td]A ship for Trading purposes
Rumah[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tinggal[/td][td][/td] [td]Rumah Tinggal[/td] [td]A place where you can stay
Kapal[/td][td][/td] [td]Terbang[/td] [td][/td] [td]Kapal Terbang[/td] [td]An Airplane
Meja[/td][td][/td] [td]Makan[/td] [td][/td] [td]Meja Makan[/td] [td]Dining Table
Meja[/td] [td][/td] [td]Tulis[/td][td][/td] [td]Meja Tulis[/td] [td]Writing Table
If you want to meet some experts, don’t forget to greet them properly. See Indonesian Greetings to learn more about greetings! You need pronouns too! Please read Indonesian Pronouns to learn it more! It will be super helpful for you!
So those are examples of Indonesian Compound Words! Thank you so much for joining us today. If you need to learn Basic Indonesian Sentence, check How to learn Basic Indonesian Language! Do not forget to share this article so your fellow friends can learn Indonesian Compound Words too! Terima kasih! Sampai Jumpa lagi!