Sih, Nah, Nih and Tuh
Sih
Meaning: ’sih’ has a range of subtle meanings such as why, how come, actually, because, but, however
Application: Sometimes it’s pronounced ’si’. Its general function is to smooth the flow of conversation. The addition of “sih” after a word or a sentence many times is used to emphasize or accentuate curiosity, uncertainty, anger, annoyance, confusion, amazement, surprise even disbelief.
| Mahal amat sih sepatunya. Bagus sih bagus cuma nggak cocok. Ada apa sih? Kok rame banget? Ngapain sih/ Denger denger sih dia baru beli TV baru. Anak ini pinter soalnya orang tuanya guru sih. Galak amat sih tuh orang? Gimana sih, udah siang belom bangun juga. |
Why the shoes is so expensive? It’s actually good but it doesn’t suit (you/him/her). What’s really happening? Why is it so crowded? What are you really doing? Rumor has it he just bought a new TV. This kid is clever because his parents are teachers. Why that person is so hostile? How could you, it’s already noon and you’re still asleep? |
Nah
Meaning: well, now then, so
Application: It occurs before a statement and it can be used to introduce a new topic. Or it can occur during the continuation of a topic to draw the listener’s attention.
| Nah sekarang gue mau nanya, kenapa dia marah? Itu waktu gue di Jakarta, nah waktu gue di Bandung lain lagi. Nah! Apa gue bilang … |
Now I want to ask, why was he angry? That was when I was in Jakarta, then when I was in Bandung it was different again. Well! What did I say .. |
Nih and Tuh
Meaning: this, these and that, those
Synonym: In formal Indonesian they are demonstratives pronouns ‘ini’ and ‘itu’
Application: Sometimes it’s pronounced ‘ni’ and ‘tu’.
It occurs:
- before or after the noun;
- with pronouns as intensifiers, giving emphasis;
- in some cases after formal Indonesian demonstratives pronouns(ini and itu);
- after a verbal or adjective predicate to give it a stress.
| Dessy tuh sensasi banget deh. Ngerokok tuh nggak bagus. Dia tuh anak baru. Apa nih? Apa tuh? Aku nggak tau kalo itu tuh bapaknya. Maksudnya seperti ini nih. Anak-anak ini tuh suka males.** |
That Dessy is so sensational. Smoking is definitely not good. He is a new kid. What’s this? What’s that? I didn’t know that he is his father. This is what I mean. These kids are sometimes lazy. |
** ‘Ini’ gives immediacy – these are the kids being talked about – while ‘tuh’ gives distance – they are not now present but have been mentioned previously.
*) Reference: Colloquial Jakartan Indonesian by James Neil Sneddon, 2006