siapa

Indonesian

Etymology

Compound of si (“reference to person”) +‎ apa (“what”), from Malay siapa, from Proto-Malayic *si-apa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian [Term?].

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [si.ˈäpa]

Pronoun

siapa

1. who, whose

   Siapa itu? ― Who is that?

   Baju siapa ini? ― Whose shirt is this?

2. what (when enquiring about someone's name)

   Namamu siapa? ― What is your name?

   Siapa nama anak itu? ― What is that kid's name?

Derived terms

• siapa-siapa

 

• siapa lagi
• siapa lu siapa gua
• siapa pula
• siapa pun
• siapa saja

 

Further reading

• “siapa” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016.

Malay

Alternative forms

• sape (pronunciation spelling, slang)

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *si-apa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian [Term?]. May be analysed as si +‎ apa (“what”).

Compare with Pangasinan siopa.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /siapa/
• Rhymes: -iapa, -apa, -pa, -a
• (Johor-Riau) IPA^(key): [sʲä.pə]

Pronoun

siapa (Jawi spelling سياڤا)

1. who, whose

   Siapa itu? ― Who is that?

   Ini baju siapa? ― Whose shirt is this?

2. what (when enquiring about someone's name)

   Siapa nama kamu? ― What is your name?

   Nama budak tu siapa? ― What is that kid's name?

Derived terms

• barang siapa
• sesiapa
• siapa-siapa

 

Descendants

• Indonesian: siapa

Further reading

• “siapa” in Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu | Malay Literary Reference Centre, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2017.

Venetan

Adjective

siapa

1. feminine singular of siapo