KURANG AJAR

“Kurang ajar” is a phrase in Indonesian that translates to “disrespectful,” “rude,” or “cheeky” in English. It’s often used to describe someone who is behaving rudely, showing a lack of respect, or being mischievous in a way that crosses the line of acceptable behavior.

In casual conversations, “kurang ajar” can be used both seriously and playfully. It’s a flexible phrase that can adapt to the tone of the conversation. When said seriously, it carries a strong rebuke. When said in a playful context, it can come off as teasing or light-hearted banter.

• Serious: “Anak itu kurang ajar sekali; dia engga mendengarkan orang tuanya.”
  (That kid is really disrespectful; he doesn’t listen to his parents.)
• Playful: “Kamu kurang ajar, curang di game!”
  (You’re so cheeky, you cheated in the game!)

“Kurang ajar” is typically used in informal settings and can be spoken quickly, especially when emotions are involved. In heated conversations, the phrase might be emphasized to show frustration. In more relaxed contexts, it can be said lightly, often accompanied by a laugh or a smile.

The structure is straightforward:

• “Kurang” means “less” or “lacking.”
• “Ajar” means “teaching” or “education.”

Together, “kurang ajar” literally means “lacking in education,” which figuratively refers to someone lacking manners or respect. It often follows a noun or pronoun to describe someone’s behavior.

Examples:

• Serious Context:
  • Indonesian: “Kamu engga boleh kurang ajar sama orang yang lebih tua.”
    – English: “You shouldn’t be disrespectful to your elders.”
  • Indonesian: “Sangat kurang ajar kalau kamu engga minta izin dulu.”
    – English: “It’s very disrespectful if you don’t ask for permission first.”
• Casual Context:
  • Indonesian: “Eh, jangan kurang ajar ya, aku lagi capek.”
    – English: “Hey, don’t be disrespectful, I’m already tired.”
  • Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, gak sisain aku apa-apa!”
    – English: “You’re so cheeky, you didn’t leave me any!”
  • Indonesian: “Kurang ajar, kamu gak balas chat aku!”
    – English: “You’re so rude, you didn’t reply to my chat!”
• Playful Banter:
  • Indonesian: “Kurang ajar, kamu makan pizza terakhir!”
    – English: “How rude, you ate the last slice of pizza!”
  • Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, gak ngajak aku!”
    – English: “You’re so rude, you didn’t invite me!”
  • Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, bikin aku kaget!”
    – English: “You’re cheeky, you surprised me!”

In Indonesian culture, directness can sometimes be softened with humor, and “kurang ajar” fits this perfectly. While the phrase can be a serious accusation of bad behavior, it can also be used in a way that is less confrontational and more in line with maintaining harmony in social interactions. Whether used seriously or playfully, it’s a phrase that reflects the importance of respect in Indonesian society.

Indonesian: “Ngga usah kurang ajar deh, kita selesaikan baik-baik aja.”
– English: “Don’t be disrespectful, let’s just resolve this peacefully.

More Examples:

• Indonesian: “Dia kurang ajar banget, sampai berani melawan guru.”
  – English: “He’s really disrespectful, daring to go against the teacher.”
• Indonesian: “Perkataannya sangat kurang ajar, bikin orang lain sakit hati.”
  – English: “His words were really rude, hurting others’ feelings.”
• Indonesian: “Jangan kurang ajar di rumah orang, hormati tuan rumah.”
  – English: “Don’t be disrespectful in someone’s house, respect the host.”
• Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, rusak barang orang lain.”
  – English: “You’re being disrespectful, damaging someone else’s belongings.”
• Indonesian: “Anak itu sering kurang ajar, engga pernah menghargai siapa pun.”
  – English: “That kid is often rude, never respecting anyone.”
• Indonesian: “Kurang ajar kamu, ambil kue-ku diam-diam!”
  – English: “You’re so cheeky, stealing my cake secretly!”
• Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, ngerjain aku depan banyak orang!”
  – English: “You’re so cheeky, playing a prank on me in front of everyone!”
• Indonesian: “Kurang ajar, kamu bikin aku ketawa pas lagi serius!”
  – English: “You’re so cheeky, making me laugh during a serious moment!”
• Indonesian: “Kamu kurang ajar, nyebutin rahasia aku ke orang lain!”
  – English: “You’re so rude, telling my secret to others!”
• Indonesian: “Kurang ajar, kamu tidur pas lagi nonton film bareng!”
  – English: “You’re so cheeky, falling asleep while we’re watching a movie together!”

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