Kerap

Kerap is an adverb used in Indonesian and Malay to indicate frequency, meaning often or frequently. It signals that an action or event occurs repeatedly or with regularity over time. In usage, kerap tends to convey a slightly more formal or literary tone than the more common synonym sering, and it is frequently found in written language, journalism, and literature as well as in speech.

In Indonesian, kerap modifies verbs to express habitual or repeated action. For example: Dia kerap datang terlambat, which translates to He often comes late. It can also appear in phrases such as kerap kali, which emphasizes frequency even further, as in Kerap kali ia terlambat. While sering is widely used in everyday conversation, kerap may be preferred in formal contexts or stylistic writing.

In Malay, the same function applies. Kerap conveys a sense of regular occurrence and can be found in both formal prose and everyday Malay, with similar collocations to Indonesian. It is generally understood across Malay-speaking regions, though regional preferences may tilt toward sinonims like sering in casual speech.

Common related expressions include kerap kali (often, frequently) and, in some contexts, acap kali, which also expresses a high frequency but with a more elevated tone. Antonyms would include jarang or kadang-kadang, which indicate infrequency or occasional occurrence.

Overall, kerap is a standard, widely understood term for indicating regular occurrence in Indonesian and Malay, suitable for both descriptive and narrative writing, and often preferred where a more formal register is desired compared to sering.