Pekerdja
Definition & Context
Worker; a person who performs labor or works for an employer, especially during the Dutch colonial period in the East Indies.
Synonyms & Variants
buruh
A person who works for another person for wages; a laborer.
jongos
A male servant (especially in a restaurant or hotel); a male domestic helper.
karyawan
A person who works for an institution (office, company, etc.) and receives a salary (wage).
kuli
A manual laborer who relies on physical strength, often with daily wages.
pekerja
A person who performs a job or activity to earn income; a laborer.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The term 'pekerdja' is the Van Ophuijsen spelling of the modern word 'pekerja' (worker). It frequently appears in colonial documents, Dutch East Indies newspapers, and classical Malay literature to refer to laborers, artisans, or employees in various economic sectors of that era.
Real-world Usage
Para pekerdja itu bekerja di perkebunan dari pagi hingga sore. (Para pekerja itu bekerja di perkebunan dari pagi hingga sore.)
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
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