boleh

Indonesian

Etymology

From Malay boleh, which is derived from an earlier form bulih. The derivation can be reconstructed from Proto-Malayic *mAɣ-ulih via these stages: *mAɣ-ulih > *mar-ulih > *bar-ulih > *bər-ulih > *brulih* > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbo.lɛh/
• Hyphenation: bo‧lèh

Verb

boleh

1. may (to have permission to; to be permitted; to be enabled to)
2. (rare) can (to know how to; to be able to)

   Synonym: bisa

3. (dated) to get

   Synonyms: dapat, beroleh, peroleh

Derived terms

Affixed terms and other derivations

Regular affixed derivations:

• membolehkan [agent focus + causative benefactive] (meN- + -kan)
• bolehan [resultative / locative / collective / variety / verbal noun / fruit] (-an)
• memerbolehkan [causative passive + agent focus + causative benefactive] (peR- + meN- + -kan)
• kebolehan [abstract / locative] (ke-an)

Irregular affixed derivations, other derivations and compound words:

• seboleh-bolehnya

• boleh jadi
• boleh juga

 

Further reading

• “boleh” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016.

Malay

Alternative forms

• bulih (obsolete)

Etymology

From earlier bulih. The derivation can be reconstructed from Proto-Malayic *mAɣ-ulih via these stages: *mAɣ-ulih > *mar-ulih > *bar-ulih > *bər-ulih > *brulih* > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /boleh/
• Rhymes: -oleh, -leh, -eh
• (Johor-Riau) IPA^(key): [bo̞lɪh, -eh, -e̞h]

Verb

boleh (Jawi spelling بوليه)

1. can (to be able to)

   Synonyms: reti, mampu, berkeupayaan, dapat

   Saya boleh menyanyi.

   I can sing.

2. may (to have permission to)

   Bolehkah saya pergi ke tandas?

   May I go to the toilet?

Derived terms

Affixed terms and other derivations

Regular affixed derivations:

• membolehkan [agent focus + causative benefactive] (meN- + -kan)
• kebolehan [abstract / locative] (ke-an)

Irregular affixed derivations, other derivations and compound words:

• seboleh-bolehnya (“as far as possible”)
• boleh jadi (“maybe”)
• boleh terima (“acceptance; admissibility”)
• boleh ubah (“variable”)
• Malaysia Boleh (“Malaysia can do it”)

Descendants

• Indonesian: boleh
• ⇒ English: Bolehland

See also

• bisa

Further reading

• “boleh” in Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu | Malay Literary Reference Centre, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2017.