Dikitdikit

Dikitdikit, often written as dikit-dikit or dikitdikit, is a colloquial Indonesian expression formed by reduplicating the word dikit, meaning “a little” or “a small amount.” The reduplication emphasizes gradualness, small increments, or approximate quantity, and it is common in informal speech and online communication. In Indonesian and Malay linguistics, reduplication is a productive device that can modify meaning, and dikit-dikit is an everyday example used to soften precision or to convey progression.

As an adverb, dikit-dikit typically means “little by little” or “in small increments.” It can describe gradual changes, such as prices rising gradually, tasks being completed step by step, or items accumulating over time. It can also be used to indicate a non-specific amount, roughly, or approximately. Example sentences could be: “Harga naik dikit-dikit” (Prices rise little by little) or “Dia datang dikit-dikit” (He comes little by little).

Culturally, dikit-dikit is widely used in casual conversation and online content, including memes and captions, especially among younger speakers. Its usage reflects broader Indonesian tendencies to employ reduplication to nuance tone and intent. While familiar in everyday talk, dikit-dikit is typically avoided in formal writing and should be understood primarily as colloquial language.

See also: Indonesian language, Malay language, reduplication, Indonesian slang.