kota — meaning in English: city

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for city

baru

karena itu

sampai

kota

ditantang

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Indonesian for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 'kota' frequently when discussing urban areas, such as in conversations about travel or living arrangements. For instance, someone might say, 'Saya tinggal di kota Jakarta,' meaning 'I live in the city of Jakarta.' It's also used in formal discussions about urban planning or development.

Synonyms & nuances

'Kota' is often synonymous with 'kota besar,' which means 'large city.' However, 'kota' can refer to any city, regardless of size, while ‘kota besar’ specifically emphasizes bigger urban areas. You would choose 'kota' in most contexts unless you want to highlight the scale of the city.

Culture

'Kota' has roots in the Malay language, where it similarly means 'city.' In Indonesian, cities like Kota Kinabalu or Kota Bandung highlight the importance of urban centers in the archipelago, where cultural diversity flourishes. Interestingly, many cities in Indonesia are named 'Kota' followed by a specific name or region, reflecting the local heritage and identity.

FAQ

Q.What does 'kota' mean in English?

'Kota' translates to 'city' in English, referring to an urban area with significant population and development.

Q.How do you pronounce 'kota'?

'Kota' is pronounced as 'koh-tah', with an emphasis on the first syllable. It's straightforward and phonetically similar to the English word 'coat'.

Q.Can 'kota' be used in plural forms?

'Kota' is generally used in singular form, as the concept of a city is treated as a singular entity in Indonesian. However, when referring to multiple cities, you might say 'beberapa kota' which means 'several cities.'

Learn indonesian with Maspeak →

Indonesian Vocabulary