Nulis

Nulis is a colloquial Indonesian term meaning to write, derived from the standard verb menulis. It is commonly used in informal speech, text messaging, and online conversations, especially among younger speakers. In formal Indonesian, the equivalent term is menulis, whereas nulis reflects casual or internet language and is often found in memes, captions, and chat discussions. The term functions as both a verb and, less commonly, a noun referring to the act of writing. Examples include aku lagi nulis cerita (I’m writing a story) or nulis di blog (writing on the blog). It encompasses a wide range of writing activities, including fiction (cerita pendek or cerpen), poetry (puisi), journaling, and informational articles.

In Indonesian online culture, nulis is associated with personal expression, creative writing, and community practices such as writing prompts, fan fiction, and short-form posts. It appears on blogs, social media platforms, writing groups, and in school or extracurricular settings where young people share their work. While nulis can help develop literacy, creativity, and communication skills, it often contains slang, regional expressions, or informal spellings that differ from standard Indonesian. Some educators and formal writing contexts may prefer the term menulis and standard orthography. Nonetheless, nulis remains a common entry point for many Indonesians starting to practice writing or sharing their work online.

See also: Indonesian slang, menulis, blogging, fan fiction, journaling.