Dalem
Definition & Context
Adjective
A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
An informal or dialectal form of dalam, referring to the interior portion or the side situated within a space, object, or place.
Synonyms & Variants
dalam
The standard form in formal Indonesian.
interior
The inner part of a building, room, or object.
inti
The most important or core part of something.
jero
A dialectal variant often found in Javanese influence or Low Malay.
jeroan
Refers to the internal parts (organs) of the body, often used in culinary or informal anatomical contexts.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word dalem is an informal phonetic variant of the standard Malay and Indonesian word dalam. The vowel shift from a to e in the final syllable is characteristic of Betawi Malay and West Javanese dialects, commonly found in conversational texts and Low Malay newspapers of the colonial era. Under Van Ophuijsen orthography, this form frequently appeared in folk literature and journalistic reports as a direct reflection of everyday vernacular speech among the indigenous population.
Real-world Usage
...anak lain jang terdjoen ka dalem kali. (Anak lain yang terjun ke dalam sungai.)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
Verified Evidence1
Boekoe Soerat-Soerat (TH. A. Du Mosch) Boekoe Soerat-Soerat (TH. A. Du Mosch)
ImageliteratureVerify Context
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