IndonesianEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Malay engkau, from Proto-Malayic *kau(ʔ), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(i-)kahu, from Proto-Austronesian *(i-)kaSu. The eng- component is epenthetical to avoid a monosyllabic pronunciation.

PronunciationEdit

PronounEdit

engkau

  1. (Borneo, Medan, informal, poetic) Second-person singular pronoun: you, your, yours

SynonymsEdit

Indonesian informal second-person pronouns:

  • anta (informal, mainly used by Muslim community)
  • antum (informal, mainly used by Muslim community)
  • coen (slang, East Java)
  • ente (informal, mainly used by Betawi ethnic group)
  • kamu (intimate)
  • ko, kowe (informal, Java)
  • kon, koen (colloquial, East Java)
  • lu, lo, loe, elu (informal, mainly used by Betawi ethnic group)
  • mika, mike (informal, Eastern Sumatra)

MalayEdit

Alternative formsEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Proto-Malayic *kau(ʔ), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *i-kahu, from Proto-Austronesian *i-kaSu. The eng- component is epenthetical to avoid a monosyllabic pronunciation.

PronunciationEdit

PronounEdit

engkau (Jawi spelling اڠکاو‎)

  1. you, your

Usage notesEdit

Largely used in poetry and songs, and informally between contemporary speakers, especially of the same gender, or with a tone of disapproval. Also used to address God (capitalized i.e. Engkau).

See alsoEdit