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boleh. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
boleh, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
boleh in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
boleh you have here. The definition of the word
boleh will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Indonesian
Etymology
From Malay boleh, which is derived from an earlier form bulih, from Proto-Malayic *mArulih. The change in the sound of this word can be reconstructed as follows: *mArulih > *mərulih > *bər-ulih > *brulih > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived. Doublet of beroleh and peroleh.
Pronunciation
Verb
bolèh (auxiliary verb)
- may (to have permission to, be allowed. used in granting permission and in a question to make a polite request)
Kamu boleh memakan ikan ini.- You may eat this fish.
Bolehkah aku memakai pensilmu?- May I use your pencil?
- can
- to be permitted or enabled to
Kamu boleh bermain setelah kamu menyelesaikan pekerjaan rumahmu.- You can play after you finish your homework.
Bolehkah aku melihat jawabanmu?- Can I see your answer?
- (uncommon) to know how to; to be able to
- Synonyms: dapat, mampu, bisa
- (uncommon) to have the potential to; be possible
- Synonyms: dapat, bisa
Usage notes
- All the uncommon senses in this word are actually common in Sumatra, especially in Riau and several other areas.
Derived terms
- ada hujan ada panas, ada hari boleh balas
- alah menang tak tahu, bersorak boleh
- asal ada sama di hati, gajah terantai boleh dilepaskan
- bertali boleh dieret, bertampuk boleh dijinjing
- bintang di langit boleh dibilang, tetapi arang di muka tak sadar
- bulat boleh digulingkan, pipih boleh dilayangkan
- dalam laut boleh diajuk, dalam hati siapa tahu
- hilang bini boleh dicari, hilang budi badan celaka
- hitam mata itu mana boleh bercerai dengan putihnya
- jerih menentang boleh, rugi menentang laba
- jika tidak pecah ruyung, di mana boleh mendapat sagu
- malang tak boleh ditolak, mujur tak boleh diraih
- mujur tidak boleh diraih, malang tidak boleh ditolak
- mulut bajan boleh ditutup, mulut manusia tidak
- pecak boleh dilayangkan, bulat boleh digulingkan, batu segiling pecak setepik
- rugi menentang laba, jerih menentang boleh
- rupa boleh diubah, tabiat dibawa mati
- suku tak boleh dianjak, malu tak boleh diagih
- tak boleh bertemu roma
- terlongsong perahu boleh balik, terlongsong cakap tak boleh balik
- tuah ayam boleh dilihat, tuah manusia siapa tahu
- utang emas boleh dibayar, utang budi dibawa mati
Further reading
Malay
Etymology
From earlier bulih. The derivation can be reconstructed from Proto-Malayic *mAɣ-ulih via these stages: *mAɣ-ulih > *mar-ulih > *bar-ulih > *bər-ulih (>> beroleh) > *brulih > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived. Doublet of beroleh, see also oleh.
Pronunciation
Verb
boleh (Jawi spelling بوليه)
- (auxiliary) To be able to; can.
- Synonyms: dapat, mampu, bisa (chiefly Indonesia)
Saya boleh menyanyi.- I can sing.
- (auxiliary) To have permission to; may, can.
Bolehkah saya pergi ke tandas?- May I go to the toilet?
- (obsolete) To acquire.
- Synonym: beroleh
Titah raja, bolehkah keris itu?- The king said, have you acquired the kris?.
Affixations
Compounds
Descendants
References
- Pijnappel, Jan (1875) “بوله bolih”, in Maleisch-Hollandsch woordenboek, John Enschede en Zonen, Frederik Muller, page 66
- Wilkinson, Richard James (1901) “بوله buleh”, in A Malay-English dictionary, Hong Kong: Kelly & Walsh limited, page 133
- Wilkinson, Richard James (1932) “boleh”, in A Malay-English dictionary (romanised), volume I, Mytilene, Greece: Salavopoulos & Kinderlis, page 149
Further reading