Lahirken
Definition & Context
Verb
A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
An active verb meaning to bring forth offspring from the womb. In a tempo doeloe context, it refers to the act of giving birth to a child. This term is an archaic spelling variant of the modern Indonesian word melahirkan.
Synonyms & Variants
babaran
A loanword from Javanese often used in informal or regional contexts during the same era.
bersalin
A more refined or medical term to refer to the process of giving birth.
lahiran
A colloquial or daily conversational form of the word 'melahirkan'.
melahirkan
The modern standard Indonesian form replacing the -ken suffix with -kan.
memperanakkan
An archaic or literary term meaning to give birth; often found in classical or religious texts.
melihat terang
A poetic expression or classic euphemism for the birth of a baby.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word lahirken is the Van Ophuijsen spelling of the modern Indonesian verb lahirkan. The Van Ophuijsen orthographic system, standardized in 1901 by Ch. A. Van Ophuijsen, characteristically employed the suffix -ken in place of the modern -kan suffix. This form was commonly found in colonial-era newspapers, official documents, and Malay literary works during the Dutch East Indies period. The root word lahir itself derives from the Arabic ẓāhir, meaning “apparent” or “manifest”, which was absorbed into Malay with the specific meaning of emerging from the womb.
Real-world Usage
Istrinja telah lahirken satoe anak perampoean pada malem senen jang laloe. (Istrinya telah melahirkan seorang anak perempuan pada malam Senin yang lalu.)
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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