Adjektifnya

Adjektifnya is a term used in Indonesian grammar to describe the construction formed when an adjective is combined with the suffix -nya. The result is a word or noun-like phrase that refers to the attribute of a subject and can function as a referent in discourse. It is not a separate grammatical category; rather, it is a morpho-syntactic pattern for nominalizing an adjective or foregrounding a specific property that has already been mentioned.

Formed by attaching -nya to an adjective, as in beratnya, indahnya, or besarnya, the suffix can signal possession or definite reference. This yields phrases such as “its heaviness,” “its beauty,” or “the extent of its size.” Depending on context, the phrase can act as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence, often emphasizing the attribute rather than the noun itself.

Examples include: “Beratnya tas itu membuat pundak pegal.” (The heaviness of that bag makes the shoulder ache.) “Indahnya pemandangan malam itu membuat semua orang berhenti sejenak.” (The beauty of the night view makes everyone pause.) “Besarnya biaya perbaikan tak terduga itu menimbulkan kekhawatiran.” (The magnitude of the unexpected repair cost causes concern.) These illustrate how adjektifnya can function in descriptive statements and discourse.

Usage notes: adjektifnya is commonly used to discuss or emphasize attributes of a known subject. In formal writing, it may be preferable to use a regular noun form derived from the adjective (such as kebersihan, keindahan) for a more standard nominalization. See also kata sifat, nominalisasi, and suffix -nya.