By Djodjok Soepardjo (Arif Billah)
Language is a window into culture, and often words that sound the same in two different languages can carry completely unrelated meanings. One example is the word “gara-gara” in Indonesian and words that sound similar in Japanese such as がらがら (garagara) or word form ～がら (~gara)Although phonetically similar, they have completely different historical roots, functions, and nuances.
1. “Gara-gara” in Indonesian
In Indonesian gara-gara is kata keterangan that state because or the reason something happensIt usually has a negative or undesirable connotation. It's often used in informal to semi-formal contexts, and often carries the connotation of blaming or highlighting a cause that's considered troublesome.
Usage examples:
- Gara-gara hujan deras, pertandingan dibatalkan.
- Aku terlambat gara-gara macet.
Etymologically, it is most likely gara-gara comes from old Malay or Javanese influence (gara-gara in Javanese it means “chaos” or “chaotic event”), then developed into the meaning of “cause of chaos” and finally became “cause” in general.
2. Similar words in Japanese
In Japanese, the sound “gara-gara” It does exist, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's the "cause." There are two different things to distinguish:
a. がらがら (garagara) – onomatope
These are imitative words of sound and state whose meaning depends on context, for example:
- A loud sound of something rattling or jingling (sliding door opened, the train passedetc.)
ドアをがらがらと開ける。
(Doa o garagara to akeru.Opening the door with a loud creaking sound.
- A quiet or empty state (usually for public places)
店はがらがらだ。
(Mise wa garagara da.The shop is very quiet (no visitors).
b. ～がら (~gara) – akhiran kata benda
Form ~gara not onomatopoeia, but rather noun suffix which mean pattern, style, or type of person/character.
- 花柄のシャツ (hana-gara no shatsu) – floral patterned shirt
- 大人柄 (otona-gara– adult-like characteristics
3. The main difference
| Aspect | Bahasa Indonesia: “gara-gara” | Bahasa Jepang: “garagara” / “~gara” |
| Meaning | Cause (usually negative) | Onomatopoeia of sound/silence, or pattern/type |
| Function | Adverb | Mimetic adjective or noun suffix |
| Nuance | Casual, sometimes blaming | Neutral, descriptive |
| Etymology | From Javanese/Malay (meaning “chaotic”) | Original Japanese, related to mimetic and visual description |
4. Potential for Misunderstanding
Hearing language learners “gara-gara” in Japan may be surprised to learn that it doesn't mean "because" at all. Conversely, Japanese speakers learning Indonesian may mistake it for "because." “gara-gara” means “empty” or “quiet” if only relying on sound.
5. Closing
Words that sound the same in two languages often provide a bridge of humor and challenge for learners. “Gara-gara” in Indonesia and “garagara” Japan is an example of how similar sounds don't guarantee similar meanings. This phenomenon reminds us that understanding a language isn't just about memorizing sounds and meanings; context, culture, and the history of words contribute to shaping their true meaning.
6. Tabel Perbandingan Lengkap “Gara-gara” Indonesia vs. Jepang
| Language | Form | Main Meaning | Example of sentences | Sentence Translation |
| Indonesia | gara-gara | Indicates cause (usually negative) | Gara-gara hujan deras, acara sekolah ditunda. | Because of heavy rain, the school event was postponed. |
| Jepang | がらがら (garagara) | Loud rattling/clattering sound | ドアをがらがらと開ける。 (Doa o garagara to akeru.) |
Open the door with a loud rattling sound. |
| Jepang | がらがら (garagara) | Empty or quiet state | 映画館はがらがらだ。 (Eigakan wa garagara da.) |
The cinema is empty. |
| Jepang | ～柄 (~gara) | Pattern or motif | 花柄のシャツが好きです。 (Hana-gara no shatsu ga suki desu.) |
I like floral-patterned shirts. |
| Jepang | ～柄 (~gara) | Character or type of person | 彼は真面目な柄だ。 (Kare wa majime na gara da.) |
He is the serious type of person. |
