ketela

Indonesian

Etymology

From Portuguese Castela (“Castile”), from Spanish Castilla, from Old Spanish Castiella, from Medieval Latin Castella, plural of Latin castellum (“castle, fort, citadel”), diminutive of castrum (“fortress”). Doublet of kastil.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [kəˈtɛla]
• Hyphenation: kê‧tè‧la

Noun

ketela (first-person possessive ketelaku, second-person possessive ketelamu, third-person possessive ketelanya)

1. tuberous plant

   Synonym: ubi

   1. Short for ketela pohon (“cassava”).
   2. Short for ketela rambat (“sweet potato”).

Usage notes

The word in general refer to non-native tuberous plants, which were introduced during colonial period (as both cassava and sweet potato are originated and domesticated in either Central or South America). Similar to its cognate Japanese カステラ (kasutera, “a Japanese sponge cake”, literally “Castile”) which are introduced during exploration period.

Alternative forms

• tela

Derived terms

• ketela gantung
• ketela gendruwo
• ketela pohon
• ketela rambat

 

Further reading

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