Tells In Indonesian: What's The Translation?

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 45 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to say "tells" in Indonesian? Well, you've come to the right place! Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is a super cool language spoken by millions of people, and knowing how to translate common words like "tells" can really help you connect with others and understand the culture better. This article dives deep into the Indonesian translation of "tells," exploring different nuances and contexts to ensure you've got all the info you need. Whether you're a language enthusiast, a student, or just curious, let's unravel this linguistic mystery together!

Understanding "Tells" in English

Before we jump into the Indonesian translation, let's make sure we're all on the same page about what "tells" means in English. "Tells" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "to tell." It can be used in various contexts, which can slightly affect its translation. The most common meanings include:

To narrate or recount: This is when you're telling a story or describing an event. Think of sentences like, "He tells a great story" or "She tells us about her trip."
To inform or communicate: This meaning is about conveying information. For example, "The sign tells you to stop" or "My friend tells me he's coming."
To instruct or order: "Tells" can also imply giving an instruction or order, though this is less common. An example would be, "The boss tells him to finish the report."
To reveal or disclose: This usage refers to making something known, like a secret or a fact. "His face tells me he's lying" or "The evidence tells a different story."

Knowing these different shades of meaning is crucial because Indonesian, like any language, might use different words to express these nuances. So, let's keep these in mind as we explore the Indonesian equivalents of "tells."

The Primary Translation: "Memberitahu"

The most common and versatile translation for "tells" in Indonesian is memberitahu. This word generally covers the meanings of "to inform," "to tell someone something," or "to let someone know." It's your go-to translation in many situations. Let's break it down:

Mem- is a prefix that turns a noun or adjective into a verb. It's a super common prefix in Indonesian, and you'll see it a lot!
Beri means "to give."
Tahu means "to know."

So, literally, memberitahu means "to give knowledge" or "to make someone know." Pretty cool, right? This breakdown helps you understand the core meaning and how the word is constructed, which can make it easier to remember and use correctly.

Examples Using "Memberitahu"

To really nail down how to use memberitahu, let's look at some examples:

He tells a story: Dia memberitahu sebuah cerita. (Dia = He, sebuah = a, cerita = story)
She tells us about her trip: Dia memberitahu kami tentang perjalanannya. (Kami = us, tentang = about, perjalanannya = her trip)
The sign tells you to stop: Tanda itu memberitahu Anda untuk berhenti. (Tanda itu = That sign, Anda = you (formal), untuk = to, berhenti = stop)
My friend tells me he's coming: Teman saya memberitahu saya bahwa dia akan datang. (Teman saya = My friend, saya = me, bahwa = that, dia = he, akan datang = will come)

Notice how memberitahu fits seamlessly into these different contexts. It's a workhorse of a word, and you'll find yourself using it a lot when speaking or writing in Indonesian. But remember, it's not the only way to translate "tells." Let's explore some other options!

Other Ways to Say "Tells" in Indonesian

While memberitahu is the most common translation, Indonesian offers a rich tapestry of words that can convey the nuances of "tells" in different situations. Using these alternatives can make your Indonesian sound more natural and precise. Here are a few key alternatives:

1. Mengatakan

Mengatakan is another frequently used word that means "to say" or "to tell." It's similar to memberitahu but often emphasizes the act of speaking or uttering words. Think of it as the direct equivalent of "says" or "tells" when someone is directly quoting or stating something.

The witness tells the police what he saw: Saksi itu mengatakan kepada polisi apa yang dia lihat. (Saksi itu = The witness, kepada polisi = to the police, apa yang dia lihat = what he saw)
She tells me she's tired: Dia mengatakan kepada saya bahwa dia lelah. (Dia = She, kepada saya = to me, bahwa = that, dia lelah = she's tired)

The phrase kepada (to) is often used with mengatakan to specify who is being told. So, mengatakan kepada is a handy phrase to remember!

2. Menceritakan

If you're talking about telling a story or recounting an event, menceritakan is your best bet. This word specifically means "to narrate" or "to recount." It's perfect for situations where you're describing a sequence of events or sharing a story with someone.

He tells a funny story: Dia menceritakan cerita lucu. (Dia = He, cerita lucu = funny story)
She tells us about her adventures in Bali: Dia menceritakan kepada kami tentang petualangannya di Bali. (kepada kami = to us, tentang = about, petualangannya = her adventures, di Bali = in Bali)

Notice how menceritakan paints a more vivid picture of storytelling compared to memberitahu. It implies a more detailed and engaging narration.

3. Menyuruh

When "tells" implies an instruction or order, menyuruh is the word you need. It means "to order," "to command," or "to instruct." This word carries a bit more authority and is used when someone is giving a direct order.

The boss tells him to finish the report: Bos itu menyuruh dia menyelesaikan laporan. (Bos itu = The boss, dia = him, menyelesaikan = to finish, laporan = report)
My mom tells me to clean my room: Ibu saya menyuruh saya membersihkan kamar. (Ibu saya = My mom, saya = me, membersihkan = to clean, kamar = room)

Menyuruh is a powerful word, so use it when you really mean to convey the sense of giving an order or instruction.

4. Menunjukkan

In cases where "tells" means to reveal or disclose something, menunjukkan can be a great choice. It means "to show," "to indicate," or "to reveal." This word is perfect when something reveals information indirectly, like a sign pointing the way or a person's expression giving away their feelings.

His face tells me he's lying: Wajahnya menunjukkan bahwa dia berbohong. (Wajahnya = His face, menunjukkan = shows, bahwa = that, dia berbohong = he is lying)
The evidence tells a different story: Bukti itu menunjukkan cerita yang berbeda. (Bukti itu = The evidence, cerita yang berbeda = a different story)

Menunjukkan is a subtle but effective way to convey that something is revealing information without explicitly stating it.

Putting It All Together: Choosing the Right Word

Okay, guys, we've covered a lot of ground! We've explored the different meanings of "tells" in English and the various Indonesian words you can use to translate it. So, how do you choose the right word in any given situation? Here’s a quick recap and a handy guide:

Memberitahu: Use this for general situations where you want to say "to inform" or "to tell someone something." It's your all-purpose option.
Mengatakan: Choose this when you want to emphasize the act of speaking or directly quoting someone. It means "to say" or "to tell."
Menceritakan: This is your go-to word for narrating stories or recounting events. It means "to narrate" or "to recount."
Menyuruh: Use this when you want to convey the sense of giving an order or instruction. It means "to order," "to command," or "to instruct."
Menunjukkan: This word is perfect for situations where something reveals information indirectly. It means "to show," "to indicate," or "to reveal."

To make it even clearer, let's look at some example scenarios and choose the best translation:

Scenario: You want to tell your friend that the movie starts at 8 PM.
- Best translation: Saya ingin memberitahu teman saya bahwa filmnya mulai jam 8 malam. (I want to tell my friend that the movie starts at 8 PM.)
- Memberitahu works best here because you're simply conveying information.
Scenario: You're recounting a funny story to a group of friends.
- Best translation: Saya akan menceritakan cerita lucu kepada kalian. (I will tell a funny story to you all.)
- Menceritakan is the perfect choice for storytelling.
Scenario: Your teacher is instructing the class to do their homework.
- Best translation: Guru itu menyuruh siswa untuk mengerjakan pekerjaan rumah. (The teacher tells the students to do their homework.)
- Menyuruh accurately conveys the sense of an instruction.
Scenario: The weather forecast indicates that it will rain tomorrow.
- Best translation: Ramalan cuaca menunjukkan bahwa besok akan hujan. (The weather forecast shows that it will rain tomorrow.)
- Menunjukkan is ideal because the forecast indirectly reveals information.

By thinking about the specific meaning you want to convey, you can confidently choose the best Indonesian word for "tells" in any situation.

Practice Makes Perfect: Tips for Mastering Indonesian

Learning a new language is a journey, and mastering the nuances of words like "tells" takes practice. But hey, practice can be fun! Here are some tips to help you on your Indonesian language adventure:

Immerse yourself: Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Watch Indonesian movies and TV shows, listen to Indonesian music, and try to read Indonesian books or articles.
Practice speaking: Don't be afraid to make mistakes! The more you speak, the more confident you'll become. Find a language partner, join a conversation group, or even just talk to yourself in Indonesian.
Use flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to memorize vocabulary. Create flashcards for the different Indonesian translations of "tells" and other common words.
Use language learning apps: There are tons of great apps out there that can help you learn Indonesian vocabulary and grammar. Duolingo, Memrise, and Anki are some popular options.
Don't be afraid to ask questions: If you're unsure about something, don't hesitate to ask a native speaker or a language teacher. They'll be happy to help!
Make it fun! Learning a language should be enjoyable. Find ways to make the process engaging and rewarding. Set realistic goals, celebrate your progress, and remember why you started learning in the first place.

Conclusion: "Tells" in Indonesian Unlocked!

So, there you have it, guys! We've explored the fascinating world of translating "tells" into Indonesian. We've learned that memberitahu is the go-to word for general situations, but we've also discovered other valuable options like mengatakan, menceritakan, menyuruh, and menunjukkan. By understanding the nuances of each word, you can communicate more effectively and sound more natural in Indonesian.

Remember, language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun! With a little effort and dedication, you'll be telling stories, giving instructions, and revealing secrets in Indonesian in no time. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)