Lewatnya

Lewatnya is a term found in Indonesian-language prose and poetry used to denote the act or instance of passing by, moving past, or going through something. It is often treated as a nominal form derived from the verb lewati, which means to pass by, with the suffix -nya to indicate the act itself or its occurrence. In linguistic usage, lewatnya can function as a noun or a subject complement, highlighting the moment of movement rather than the actor.

Etymology and form: The base verb lewati conveys physical or metaphorical passage, while lewatnya abstracts that action into a concrete reference in discourse. The construction mirrors a broader Indonesian pattern where verbs are nominalized to discuss events, experiences, or transitions. The register tends to skew toward descriptive, literary, or journalistic writing, rather than everyday casual speech.

Usage and nuance: Lewatnya evokes transience and change, emphasizing how something has passed or how a scene has shifted. It can personify time, memory, or landscape by giving focus to the act of passing rather than to who or what performs it. In literature, the term often appears to frame a transition, mark a fleeting moment, or foreground the movement through space or time.

Examples: “Lewatnya malam membuat kota diam, dan lewatnya bunyi kendaraan menggambar jarak di udara.” “Pikiran itu menghilang dengan lewatnya keramaian pagi.”

See also: lewati, nominalization.