bacakan

Bacakan is an Indonesian verb meaning to read something aloud for someone else. It is formed from the root baca, “to read,” with the suffix -kan, a pattern that marks an action directed at another person or performed for a listener. The related form membacakan describes the act of reading aloud on behalf of or for a recipient, while membaca generally denotes reading in a neutral sense, often for oneself or in general.

Usage of bacakan is common in instructional, storytelling, and formal contexts where a reader voices a text for an audience. Examples include “Saya bacakan cerita itu untuk adik saya” (I will read the story aloud for my younger sibling) and the imperative “Bacakan laporan itu!” (Read the report aloud). The word can appear in various syntactic patterns, including as a main verb in different tenses or in forms derived from membacakan.

In terms of register, bacakan is widely understood across Indonesian-speaking communities, though speakers may prefer membacakan or membaca depending on formality and context. The nuance of bacakan specifically emphasizes delivering the text to listeners rather than silent reading.

Overall, bacakan captures the action of voicing written text to an audience, a common practice in education, religious services, meetings, and storytelling. Its use highlights the performative aspect of reading, distinct from silent or private reading.