English for example often hides several relations. Indonesian distinguishes an illustration with misalnya or contohnya, a resemblance or sample type with seperti, a nonexhaustive list with antara lain, and membership in a larger set with termasuk. These markers help readers decide whether one case illustrates a claim, resembles another thing, belongs to a category, or is merely one member of an open list.
This page treats text organization rather than the internal syntax of every noun phrase. Its central question is: what exactly is the example doing in relation to the general statement?
Five ways to elaborate
| Marker | Relation signaled | Typical placement |
|---|---|---|
| misalnya | illustrative case or hypothetical instance | sentence-initial or parenthetical |
| contohnya | an explicitly identified example of what was just mentioned | sentence-initial or nominal |
| seperti | resemblance or representative category member | before a noun phrase |
| antara lain | nonexhaustive enumeration | before a list |
| termasuk | included member within a stated set | before the included item |
Banyak kebiasaan kecil dapat mengurangi sampah. Misalnya, kita dapat membawa botol minum sendiri.
Many small habits can reduce waste. For example, we can bring our own water bottle.
Beberapa kota berhasil memperluas ruang hijau. Contohnya, Surabaya mengembangkan banyak taman lingkungan.
Several cities have successfully expanded green space. One example is Surabaya, which has developed many neighborhood parks.
Tanaman seperti serai dan kemangi mudah ditanam di pot.
Plants such as lemongrass and basil are easy to grow in pots.
Peserta perlu membawa beberapa perlengkapan, antara lain kartu identitas, alat tulis, dan botol minum.
Participants need to bring several items, including an identity card, writing materials, and a water bottle. (nonexhaustive)
Lima desa menerima bantuan tersebut, termasuk Desa Sukamaju.
Five villages received the aid, including Sukamaju Village. (included member)
misalnya: one case that makes a claim concrete
Misalnya introduces a real or hypothetical illustration (neutral across speech and writing). As a sentence-opening discourse marker, capitalize it and follow it with a comma.
Teknologi sederhana dapat membantu petani. Misalnya, sensor murah dapat memberi peringatan ketika tanah terlalu kering.
Simple technology can help farmers. For example, an inexpensive sensor can warn when the soil is too dry.
Kita bisa bertemu di tempat yang mudah dijangkau, misalnya di kafe dekat stasiun.
We can meet somewhere easy to reach, for example at the cafe near the station.
Jika koneksi terputus, misalnya karena listrik padam, aplikasi akan menyimpan perubahan secara lokal.
If the connection is lost—for example, because the power fails—the application will save changes locally.
Beberapa biaya dapat dikurangi. Biaya cetak, misalnya, turun setelah formulir dialihkan ke format digital.
Several costs can be reduced. Printing costs, for example, fell after the forms were moved to digital format.
The parenthetical version has commas on both sides because it interrupts the clause. A sentence-initial Misalnya, connects backward to a generalization and forward to a complete example.
contohnya: “the example of that is...”
Contohnya is the noun contoh plus attached -nya. It points back to a category or claim and explicitly presents an example (neutral).
Ada banyak cara menjaga hubungan dengan tetangga. Contohnya, kita dapat saling memberi kabar saat bepergian.
There are many ways to maintain good relations with neighbors. For example, we can keep each other informed when traveling.
Perubahan itu terlihat pada kebiasaan belanja warga; contohnya, pasar daring kini lebih ramai pada malam hari.
The change is visible in residents' shopping habits; for example, online marketplaces are now busier at night.
Contohnya adalah program beasiswa yang dikelola oleh alumni sekolah.
An example is the scholarship program managed by school alumni.
Saya pernah mengalami gangguan serupa. Contohnya, layar tiba-tiba membeku ketika berkas besar dibuka.
I have experienced a similar problem. For example, the screen suddenly froze when a large file was opened.
Because -nya is attached, write contohnya, never contoh nya. Compared with misalnya, contohnya feels more explicitly nominal: “the example of the preceding thing.”
seperti: resemblance and representative types
Seperti means “like” or “such as” (neutral). In the example-giving patterns taught here, it naturally introduces a noun phrase that resembles something or represents a type.
Awan itu tampak seperti kapas yang terbentang di atas bukit.
The clouds looked like cotton spread above the hills. (resemblance)
Peralatan seperti palu, tang, dan obeng disimpan di lemari belakang.
Tools such as hammers, pliers, and screwdrivers are kept in the back cabinet. (category examples)
Kota pesisir seperti Semarang menghadapi risiko banjir pasang.
Coastal cities such as Semarang face a risk of tidal flooding.
Makanan berkuah seperti soto terasa cocok saat udara dingin.
Soupy dishes such as soto feel suitable in cold weather.
The items after seperti illustrate a category, but the marker itself also retains a resemblance meaning. Context determines whether “like” or “such as” is the better translation.
Do not place seperti directly before an independent example sentence as a mechanical translation of English “for example.” Introduce a complete proposition with misalnya or reshape it as a noun phrase.
Kebiasaan kecil dapat menghemat energi. Misalnya, penghuni dapat mematikan lampu di ruangan kosong.
Small habits can save energy. For example, residents can turn off lights in empty rooms.
Kebiasaan kecil seperti mematikan lampu di ruangan kosong dapat menghemat energi.
Small habits such as turning off lights in empty rooms can save energy.
The first has a complete example sentence; the second packages the verbal activity mematikan lampu di ruangan kosong as the example phrase after seperti.
antara lain: an open, nonexhaustive list
Antara lain is a two-word marker meaning “among others” or “including” (neutral-formal). It tells the reader that the list is intentionally incomplete.
Dampak kekeringan tersebut antara lain berkurangnya hasil panen, naiknya harga pakan, dan terbatasnya air bersih.
The effects of the drought include reduced crop yields, higher feed prices, and limited clean water. (nonexhaustive)
Agenda kunjungan mencakup, antara lain, pertemuan dengan warga dan peninjauan puskesmas.
The visit agenda includes, among other things, a meeting with residents and an inspection of the community health center.
Narasumber berasal dari berbagai bidang, antara lain kesehatan, pendidikan, dan transportasi.
The speakers come from various fields, including health, education, and transportation.
Beberapa dokumen yang diperiksa antara lain kuitansi, kontrak, dan laporan bulanan.
Some of the documents examined include receipts, contracts, and monthly reports.
Do not assume the named items are the whole set. If exhaustiveness matters, use a complete-list frame such as terdiri atas tiga hal and list all three.
Punctuation depends on placement. Parenthetical antara lain takes commas on both sides. When it directly introduces the final list, a comma before the marker is common; do not automatically add a colon after it.
termasuk: a member inside a larger set
Termasuk identifies something as a member already counted within a larger set (neutral).
Semua ruang di lantai dua akan dicat ulang, termasuk ruang rapat utama.
All rooms on the second floor will be repainted, including the main meeting room.
Tiga pemain mengalami cedera, termasuk penjaga gawang utama.
Three players were injured, including the first-choice goalkeeper.
Biaya pendaftaran sudah mencakup makan siang, tetapi belum termasuk transportasi.
The registration fee includes lunch but does not include transportation.
Setiap peserta, termasuk pendamping, harus menunjukkan tanda pengenal.
Every participant, including accompanying persons, must show identification.
The included item belongs inside the quantified or described group. This differs from antara lain, which opens a partial list without necessarily beginning from a fixed total.
Generalization, list, and included member
The same paragraph can use several markers without redundancy because each performs a different operation.
Banyak layanan publik kini dapat diakses secara daring. Misalnya, warga dapat mengajukan perubahan alamat tanpa datang ke kantor.
Many public services can now be accessed online. For example, residents can request an address change without visiting the office.
Layanan yang tersedia antara lain pendaftaran, pelacakan permohonan, dan pengunduhan surat keterangan.
Available services include registration, application tracking, and certificate downloading. (nonexhaustive list)
Semua pemohon dapat memakai sistem tersebut, termasuk warga yang tinggal di luar daerah.
All applicants can use the system, including residents who live outside the region.
The first illustrates a generalization with a proposition. The second samples an open inventory. The third places one potentially overlooked group inside an inclusive set.
Colons and commas
A colon can introduce an elaboration when the material before it is a complete clause that explicitly anticipates what follows.
Panitia menetapkan satu prioritas utama: keselamatan semua peserta.
The committee set one main priority: the safety of all participants.
Ada dua perubahan penting: loket dibuka lebih pagi dan pembayaran hanya dilakukan secara nontunai.
There are two important changes: the counter opens earlier, and payment is cashless only.
Do not combine every example marker with a colon. Sentence-initial Misalnya, and Contohnya, take commas; antara lain normally flows directly into its list. The broader inventory appears in Indonesian Punctuation.
Common Mistakes
1. Using seperti before a complete example sentence
❌ Banyak tindakan menghemat air. Seperti warga menampung air hujan untuk menyiram tanaman.
Incorrect adjustment—seperti has been placed before an independent example sentence.
✅ Banyak tindakan dapat menghemat air. Misalnya, warga dapat menampung air hujan untuk menyiram tanaman.
Many actions can save water. For example, residents can collect rainwater for watering plants.
2. Treating antara lain as an exhaustive-list marker
❌ Daftar lengkap itu antara lain berisi tiga nama berikut.
Contradictory framing—antara lain says the list is nonexhaustive, while daftar lengkap claims completeness.
✅ Daftar lengkap itu berisi tiga nama berikut: Rani, Yusuf, dan Melati.
The complete list contains the following three names: Rani, Yusuf, and Melati.
3. Separating attached -nya
❌ Contoh nya, warga menanam sayuran di atap rumah.
Incorrect spelling—-nya attaches to contoh.
✅ Contohnya, warga menanam cabai dan tomat di atap rumah.
For example, residents grow chilies and tomatoes on their rooftops.
4. Using termasuk without a containing set
❌ Termasuk Desa Makmur menerima bantuan kemarin.
Incorrect structure—no larger group has been established for Desa Makmur to belong to.
✅ Enam desa menerima bantuan kemarin, termasuk Desa Makmur.
Six villages received aid yesterday, including Makmur Village.
5. Adding a colon mechanically after antara lain
❌ Peserta membawa beberapa barang, antara lain: payung, obat pribadi, dan senter.
Unnecessary colon—the marker already introduces the flowing list in this sentence.
✅ Peserta membawa beberapa barang, antara lain payung, obat pribadi, dan senter.
Participants bring several items, including an umbrella, personal medicine, and a flashlight.
Key Takeaways
- Misalnya introduces an illustrative case; contohnya explicitly points back to “the example of that.”
- Seperti expresses resemblance or introduces representative noun-phrase examples.
- Antara lain marks a deliberately nonexhaustive list.
- Termasuk places a member inside an already stated set.
- Use commas for sentence or parenthetical markers and reserve colons for genuinely anticipated elaboration.
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