If you’re learning Indonesian, one word you’ll hear a lot is “banget”, which means ‘very’ or ‘really’. However, it’s not to be used for formal contexts. It’s not impolite, but it’s still considered slang. It can be really useful in everyday conversations.
Let’s break down what “banget” means and how you can use it to sound more like a native speaker.
What is “Banget”?
‘Banget’ is used to make an adjective or a verb stronger. Think of it like adding extra emphasis to your sentence.
For example:
- “Saya capek” (I’m tired) turns into “Saya capek banget” (I’m really tired).
- “Dia pintar” (He’s smart) becomes “Dia pintar banget” (He’s very smart).
How to Use “Banget”
You usually put “banget” after the adjective or verb you want to emphasize. This is a bit different from English, where we usually put “very” before the adjective. Here are a few examples:
- “Makanan ini enak banget!”
Translation: “This food is really delicious!” - “Film itu membosankan banget.”
Translation: “That movie was super boring.” - “Dia sibuk banget hari ini.”
Translation: “He’s very busy today.”
Other Words Like “Banget”
Sometimes, you might hear other words that mean the same thing as “banget,” like:
- “Sekali”: This word also means “very” and is often used in more formal situations. For example, “cantik sekali” means “very beautiful.”
- “Kali”: Some people use “kali” instead of “banget,” but this is less common.
“Banget” is a common word, but it can make your Indonesian sound much more natural and expressive. So next time you want to say something is amazing, exhausting, or tasty in Indonesian, just add “banget” to your sentence!
