asmara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Literary, Academic (in discussions of Indonesian/Malay language/culture)
Quick answer
What does “asmara” mean?
Love, deep romantic attachment or longing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Love, deep romantic attachment or longing.
The noun refers specifically to romantic love or passion, often with a poetic or literary connotation, and is a direct loanword from Indonesian.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No notable difference in usage between British and American English, as the word is equally foreign to both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes exoticism, Indonesian cultural specificity, and poetic romanticism.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects. Slightly more likely to appear in British English due to historical Commonwealth ties with Malaysia/Indonesia, but this distinction is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “asmara” in a Sentence
[Noun] is a story of asmara.The [cultural artifact] expresses traditional asmara.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asmara” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, linguistics, or literature papers discussing Indonesian concepts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asmara”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I asmara you').
- Using it in general English contexts where 'love' or 'romance' is intended.
- Misspelling as 'asmara' with a capital 'A' when not starting a sentence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare loanword used almost exclusively in contexts related to Indonesian language and culture.
No, it would sound highly affected and confusing. Use standard English terms like 'love' or 'romance'.
It originates from the Indonesian and Malay language, ultimately derived from Sanskrit 'smara' meaning 'love' or 'remembrance'.
No, the word is used only as a noun in English. To modify it, you would use phrases like 'related to asmara' or 'full of asmara'.
Love, deep romantic attachment or longing.
Asmara is usually formal, literary, academic (in discussions of indonesian/malay language/culture) in register.
Asmara: in British English it is pronounced /æsˈmɑːrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːsˈmɑrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in English. In Indonesian: 'asmara buta' (blind love/passion).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a couple in Bali whispering 'As Mara', where 'Mara' is a name, to remember the word for romantic love.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE IS A CULTURAL ARTEFACT (specific to Indonesia).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'asmara' most appropriately used in English?