Saudarasaudaraku

Saudarasaudaraku is an Indonesian phrase that essentially means “my brothers and sisters.” It is formed from the word saudara, meaning sibling or relative, with reduplication to indicate plurality and the possessive suffix -ku to mark “my.” In standard Indonesian, the typical written form is saudara-saudaraku, but the unhyphenated variant saudarasaudaraku can appear in casual or stylized writing.

The construction uses reduplication (saudara-saudaraku) to emphasize a collective kinship. The word saudara is gender-neutral and can refer to brothers, sisters, or more broadly to fellow members of a community or kin group. The phrase is commonly used in direct address, especially in family contexts or when speaking to a group of siblings. It can also appear in literary or ceremonial speech to evoke a sense of personal connection among close kin.

Usage and examples vary by register. In everyday Indonesian, one might encounter: Saudara-saudaraku, mari kita mulai. or Saya berbicara kepada saudara-saudaraku di rumah. In casual writing, the unhyphenated form may be used for stylistic effect, as in banners or slogans addressing a family or community.

Variants and related terms include saudara-saudara (brothers and sisters in a general sense), saudara kita (our brothers and sisters), and saudara kandung (our biological siblings). The term reflects Indonesian language conventions for kinship and collective address, and shares its function with similar expressions in Malay.