Sekadar vs Sekedar: Why the Letter 'E' Is So Dominant?

The use of the variant 'sekedar' occurs due to sound assimilation in everyday conversation. Speakers tend to soften the vowel 'a' into 'e' (schwa) for easier and faster pronunciation, which then carries over into writing as it is perceived to sound more natural.

The word 'kadar' originates from the Arabic 'qadar', meaning measure, strength, or provision. In Indonesian, the prefix 'se-' is added to the root word 'kadar' to indicate the meaning of 'according to' or 'only to the extent of'.

The form 'sekedar' is deeply rooted in informal communication, mass media, and even literary works. This phenomenon demonstrates a gap between standard language conventions and social linguistic practices that prioritize ease of pronunciation.