Plain: What Is The Indonesian Translation?

Nov 14, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 43 views

Have you ever wondered what the Indonesian translation of the word "plain" is? If so, you've come to the right place! In this article, we'll dive deep into the various meanings of "plain" and explore their corresponding translations in Bahasa Indonesia. We'll also cover some common uses and examples to help you understand how to use these translations correctly.

Understanding the Many Facets of "Plain"

The word "plain," guys, isn't as simple as it seems. It can refer to several different things, and understanding these nuances is key to finding the right translation. Here are some common meanings of "plain":

Simple or Basic: This is perhaps the most common meaning of "plain." It refers to something that is not elaborate, fancy, or decorated. Think of a plain white t-shirt or a plain cake.
Clear or Obvious: In this sense, "plain" means easily understood or evident. For example, "It's plain to see that he's upset."
Ordinary or Unremarkable: "Plain" can also describe something that is not special or exceptional. Like, a plain looking house or a plain melody.
A Flat Area of Land: This refers to a large, flat expanse of land with few trees. Think of the Great Plains in the United States.
Without a Pattern: Something that is plain can refer to material or fabric that is a solid color or doesn't have a pattern.

Knowing these different meanings is crucial when trying to translate "plain" into Bahasa Indonesia. The best translation will depend on the context in which the word is used. We'll explore each of these meanings and their Indonesian equivalents below. It’s really important to get this right, because using the wrong word can totally change the meaning of your sentence! So, let's get started and make sure you're speaking fluent Indonesian in no time!

Translating "Plain" into Bahasa Indonesia

Okay, now let's get to the juicy part – translating "plain" into Bahasa Indonesia! As we discussed, the correct translation depends heavily on the context. Here's a breakdown of the different meanings and their corresponding Indonesian translations:

1. Simple or Basic

When "plain" means simple or basic, the most common Indonesian translations are:

Sederhana: This is a very common and versatile word that can be used in many situations to mean simple, basic, or modest. A sederhana meal, for instance, is a simple meal. If you're talking about a plain dress, you might describe it as gaun sederhana.
Biasa: This word means ordinary, common, or usual. It can also be used to describe something plain in the sense of not being fancy. For example, kamar biasa would translate to plain room.
Polos: This word is particularly useful when describing something that is unadorned or without decoration. Think of a plain white wall, which would be dinding polos in Indonesian.

Sederhana is a great choice for describing a lifestyle or a person who isn't extravagant. If someone lives a simple life, you could say Dia hidup sederhana. Biasa is perfect for describing something that isn't out of the ordinary. And polos is ideal when you want to emphasize the lack of any embellishment. Understanding these subtle differences will help you communicate more effectively in Indonesian.

2. Clear or Obvious

When "plain" means clear or obvious, the Indonesian translation is often:

Jelas: This is the go-to word for clear, obvious, or evident. For example, "It's plain to see that he's lying" would be translated as "Jelas terlihat bahwa dia berbohong."

Jelas is such a useful word to have in your Indonesian vocabulary. You can use it in so many different contexts. For example, if you want to ask someone to explain something more clearly, you could say Tolong jelaskan lebih jelas. Or, if you want to emphasize that something is very clear, you could say Sangat jelas. It's a word that will definitely come in handy!

3. Ordinary or Unremarkable

If "plain" means ordinary or unremarkable, you can use these Indonesian words:

Biasa saja: This phrase literally means "just ordinary" and is a great way to describe something that is not special or exceptional.
Tidak istimewa: This translates to "not special" and is another good option for conveying the meaning of unremarkable.

Imagine you're describing a plain movie. You could say Filmnya biasa saja (The movie was just ordinary). Or, if you're talking about a plain day, you could say Harinya tidak istimewa (The day wasn't special). These phrases are perfect for those times when you want to express that something is just… well, plain!

4. A Flat Area of Land

When "plain" refers to a flat area of land, the Indonesian word is:

Dataran: This word specifically refers to a flat, open area of land. For example, the Great Plains in the United States would be translated as Dataran Besar.

So, if you're talking about geography or describing a landscape, dataran is the word you need. You might say Dataran itu sangat luas (The plain is very vast). Or, Dataran ini cocok untuk pertanian (This plain is suitable for agriculture). Remember this word when you're discussing landscapes and geographical features!