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bahasa Indonesia
manis — meaning in English: sweet
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sweet
anak
manis
berdiskusi
tantangan
lambat
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 'manis' in everyday conversations when discussing food, desserts, or drinks that have a pleasant sweetness. For instance, when offering someone a slice of cake, one might say, 'This cake is very manis!' It can also describe the sweetness of a person’s personality, such as saying, 'Dia sangat manis' ('She is very sweet').
Synonyms & nuances
'Manis' is often used specifically for sweet tastes, especially in food contexts, while synonyms like 'gula' refer to sugar itself. Choosing 'manis' shows you appreciate the flavor, whereas 'gula' is more technical and used when discussing ingredients in cooking or baking.
Culture
The word 'manis' has its roots in the Old Javanese term 'manis,' which also means sweet. In Indonesian culture, sweetness is often associated with positive traits, and many traditional desserts emphasize this concept, making 'manis' a frequently used descriptor in culinary contexts. Interestingly, in a broader metaphorical sense, calling someone 'manis' can also reflect affection, akin to saying they are charming or endearing.
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