Adjectives

1. Gadang

   Big

   Usage

   The basic word for big; small is "ketek"

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as larger than normal, opposite of "ketek". Corresponds to Indonesian "besar" but differs in form. "Rumah Gadang" is the name of the traditional house

2. Ketek

   Small

   Usage

   For small things

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as lacking size; "kicik" is a variant.

3. Barek

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describes the weight of luggage and other things

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "Babannyo barek indak talok diangkek" (the load is too heavy to lift). Pronunciation varies by region

4. Mahal

   Expensive

   Usage

   When the price is high; "Mahal bana" is "very expensive"

   Grammar Note

   The same form as the Indonesian word

5. Murah

   Cheap

   Usage

   When the price is low

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as lower than the market price; for example "Murah bana sadonyo" (everything is very cheap)

6. Paneh

   Hot (to the touch)

   Usage

   For hot food or drink

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "panas" with the regular -as → -eh (panas → paneh)

7. Dingin

   Cold (to the touch)

   Usage

   For a cold drink; it can stand alone

   Grammar Note

   It can stand alone as a reply ("Dingin."); the dictionary also glosses it as "sajuak" (cool)

8. Baru

   New

   Usage

   For new things

   Grammar Note

   The same form as the Indonesian word

9. Lamo

   Old (thing)

   Usage

   For old things; it also means a long time

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Indonesian "lama" with final a→o (lama → lamo)

10. Mudo

    Young

    Usage

    For young age

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "muda"; for example "Tom masih mudo" (Tom is still young)

11. Tuo

    Old (person)

    Usage

    For an older person; saying it to someone's face can be rude

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as having lived long; "gaek" is a respectful term for an elderly person

12. Barasiah

    Clean

    Usage

    For judging whether a room or toilet is clean

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as free of dirt. Corresponds to Indonesian "bersih"

13. Kumuah

    Dirty

    Usage

    For a dirty room or toilet

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as not clean; its example is "kumuah bana baju anak tu"

14. Elok

    Good

    Usage

    For a good thing or state; "rancak" is for good looks

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as "rancak" and also kind-hearted; for example "nyo alun elok juo lai" (it is still not good)

15. Rancak

    Nice / lovely

    Usage

    For praising a view, clothes or a place

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as good-looking; for example "Tampek ko labiah rancak" (this place is nicer)

16. Buruak

    Bad

    Usage

    For things that are not good

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as not good. Corresponds to Indonesian "buruk"

17. Dakek

    Near

    Usage

    For a nearby place; for example "Ado lapau dakek rumah wak" (there is a stall near my house)

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "dekat" (-at → -ek)

18. Jauah

    Far

    Usage

    For a distant place

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "jauh" (-uh → -uah).

19. Awal

    Early

    Usage

    For early timing; "labiah awal" is "earlier"

    Grammar Note

    For example "cubo ang datang duo minik labiah awal" (try coming two minutes earlier)

20. Talaik

    Late

    Usage

    For being late

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as missing the set time; for example "Ang talaik pai karajo" (you were late for work)

21. Banyak

    Many

    Usage

    For a large number or amount

    Grammar Note

    Same form as Indonesian; the dictionary glosses it as large in number

22. Saketek

    Few / a little

    Usage

    For a small amount; "saketek se" is "just a little"

    Grammar Note

    Formed from sa- (one) + ketek (small); corresponds to Indonesian "sedikit". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

23. Ari paneh

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    For hot weather

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists "ari" as both day and the state of air and nature. Its example is "tangah ari taraso paneh" (midday feels hot). This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

24. Ari dingin

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    For cold or cool weather; the highland town of Bukittinggi is cool

    Grammar Note

    Built like "ari paneh" with "dingin" in place of "paneh". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

25. Lamak

    Delicious

    Usage

    To praise food or drink; "Lamak bana" is "very delicious"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as tasting good; its example is "samba dendeang tu lamak bana". It differs from Indonesian "lemak" (fatty)

26. Capek

    Fast

    Usage

    For fast speed or action; "Capeklah!" is "hurry up"

    Grammar Note

    Corresponds to Indonesian "cepat" (-at → -ek); for example "Capeklah!" (hurry up!). Do not confuse it with Indonesian "capek", which means tired

27. Lambek

    Slow

    Usage

    For slow action or a slow vehicle

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as slow, with the example "jalannyo lambek" (walks slowly)

28. Labiah banyak

    More

    Usage

    For asking for a larger amount

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "labiah" as more, with the example "nan ketek labiah pandai"; corresponds to Indonesian "lebih". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

29. Saketek se

    Just a little

    Usage

    For asking for a small amount, such as less chilli

    Grammar Note

    "Se" is the short form of "sajo" (only) and follows the word. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

30. Satangah

    Half

    Usage

    For half of an amount

    Grammar Note

    sa- (one) + tangah (middle); the dictionary glosses it as "setengah" (half)

31. Sado

    All

    Usage

    For everything; "sadonyo" means "all of it"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as all; for example "Sado urang punyo kasalahan" (everyone makes mistakes)

32. Cukuik

    That is enough

    Usage

    Said when you have had enough

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as sufficient; it can also stand alone as "Cukuik!" (enough!). Corresponds to Indonesian "cukup" (-up → -uik)

33. Ciek urang

    One person

    Usage

    For stating the number of people, for example at a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    "Ciek" is one in the dictionary; the order is number + "urang". This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

34. Duo urang

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating the number of people

    Grammar Note

    "Duo" is "dua" with final a→o. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

35. Tigo urang

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating the number of people

    Grammar Note

    "Tigo" is "tiga" with final a→o. This is a sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

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