Tempo doeloe
Definition & Context
Expression
A word or phrase, especially an idiomatic one, used to convey an idea.
A phrase referring to “olden times” or a specific historical period, often associated with nostalgia for the Dutch East Indies colonial era.
Synonyms & Variants
masa lampau
The formal equivalent in modern Indonesian.
zaman dulu
A more common variation used in daily conversation.
Usage Notes or Etymology
This term is derived from the word tempo meaning time and doeloe, the archaic spelling of dulu (past). The use of the “oe” digraph follows the Van Ophuijsen spelling system used before 1947. During the Soewandi Spelling era (1947-1972), the spelling changed to tempo dulu as “oe” was replaced by “u”. Despite being technically obsolete, the form tempo doeloe is preserved in cultural and marketing contexts to enhance a historical or retro aesthetic.
Real-world Usage
Roemah ini masih bergaja tempo doeloe. (Rumah ini masih bergaya tempo dulu.)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
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