boleh

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Indonesian

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Etymology

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From Malay boleh, which is derived from an earlier form bulih, from Proto-Malayic *mArulih. The change in the sound of this word can be reconstructed as follows: *mArulih > *mərulih > *bər-ulih > *brulih > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived. Doublet of beroleh and peroleh.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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bolèh (auxiliary verb)

  1. may (to have permission to, be allowed. used in granting permission and in a question to make a polite request)
    Kamu boleh memakan ikan ini.
    You may eat this fish.
    Bolehkah aku memakai pensilmu?
    May I use your pencil?
  2. can
    1. to be permitted or enabled to
      Kamu boleh bermain setelah kamu menyelesaikan pekerjaan rumahmu.
      You can play after you finish your homework.
      Bolehkah aku melihat jawabanmu?
      Can I see your answer?
    2. (uncommon) to know how to; to be able to
      Synonyms: dapat, mampu, bisa
    3. (uncommon) to have the potential to; be possible
      Synonyms: dapat, bisa

Usage notes

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  • All the uncommon senses in this word are actually common in Sumatra, especially in Riau and several other areas.

Derived terms

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Affixed terms
Compound terms
Proverbs with the word boleh
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Further reading

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Malay

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From earlier bulih. The derivation can be reconstructed from Proto-Malayic *mAɣ-ulih via these stages: *mAɣ-ulih > *mar-ulih > *bar-ulih > *bər-ulih (>> beroleh) > *brulih > bulih > boleh, from which the verb was derived. Doublet of beroleh, see also oleh.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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boleh (Jawi spelling بوليه)

  1. (auxiliary) To be able to; can.
    Synonyms: dapat, mampu, bisa (chiefly Indonesia)
    Saya boleh menyanyi.
    I can sing.
  2. (auxiliary) To have permission to; may, can.
    Bolehkah saya pergi ke tandas?
    May I go to the toilet?
  3. (obsolete) To acquire.
    Synonym: beroleh
    Titah raja, bolehkah keris itu?
    The king said, have you acquired the kris?.

Affixations

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Compounds

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Descendants

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  • Indonesian: boleh

References

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  • Pijnappel, Jan (1875) “بوله bolih”, in Maleisch-Hollandsch woordenboek, John Enschede en Zonen, Frederik Muller, page 66
  • Wilkinson, Richard James (1901) “بوله buleh”, in A Malay-English dictionary, Hong Kong: Kelly & Walsh limited, page 133
  • Wilkinson, Richard James (1932) “boleh”, in A Malay-English dictionary (romanised), volume I, Mytilene, Greece: Salavopoulos & Kinderlis, page 149

Further reading

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