rupiah
LowFormal / Financial / Geographic / News
Definition
Meaning
The official currency of Indonesia.
A unit of money representing Indonesian currency, which is subdivided into 100 sen. It also serves as a national symbol.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A proper noun referring specifically to Indonesia's currency; often capitalised in running text (e.g., Rupiah).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between UK and US English. Both regions refer to the Indonesian currency as 'rupiah'.
Connotations
Primarily associated with Indonesian economy, tourism, and financial reports. Lacks domestic cultural connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Used with similar low frequency in both varieties, primarily in financial, travel, or Southeast Asia-related contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The rupiah (subject)in rupiah (prepositional adjunct)(amount) rupiah (noun phrase)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a rupiah (rare, context-specific)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The rupiah appreciated against the US dollar following the central bank's intervention.
Academic
The post-colonial adoption of the rupiah as a national currency is a key topic in economic history.
Everyday
How many rupiah should I get for my holiday in Bali?
Technical
The spot exchange rate for USD/IDR closed at 15,750.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need to change my money to rupiah for my trip.
- The price is fifty thousand rupiah for a meal at that restaurant.
- Tourism has helped stabilise the value of the Indonesian rupiah.
- Analysts are concerned about the rupiah's volatility amidst global economic uncertainty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'You pay-a with the rupiah' in Indonesia.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A FLUID (the rupiah flows, strengthens, weakens)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct association with 'рубль' (ruble), as they are distinct currencies.
- Note that 'rupiah' is singular and plural; do not add an 's' (e.g., 'ten thousand rupiah', not 'rupiahs').
Common Mistakes
- Adding plural 's' (rupiahs)
- Misspelling as 'ruppiah' or 'rupia'
- Confusing it with the Indian 'rupee'
Practice
Quiz
What is the rupiah?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both singular and plural. You say 'one rupiah' and 'ten thousand rupiah'.
The ISO 4217 code is IDR.
While some tourist areas may accept US dollars, the rupiah is the official and preferred currency for most transactions.
Both names derive from the Sanskrit 'rupyakam' meaning 'silver coin', but they are distinct modern currencies.