berupa

Berupa is an Indonesian lexical item used primarily as a preposition or linker that conveys the meaning “as,” “in the form of,” or “to be”. It functions to identify the nature, category, or role of a subject within a sentence. In standard Indonesian, berupa frequently appears after a noun or pronoun to specify its classification, for example, “Ia bekerja sebagai guru” (He works as a teacher) or “Produk ini berupa makanan ringan” (This product is a snack).

Grammatically, berupa is placed before a noun phrase that denotes the class or type being assigned. It does not inflect for number or gender, as Indonesian lacks grammatical gender. The term can also be used in formal or academic contexts to introduce definitions or descriptions, such as “Kebijakan tersebut berupa peraturan baru” (The policy consists of new regulations).

Etymologically, berupa derives from the root word “bentuk” (shape, form) combined with the prefix “per‑” and the suffix “‑a,” forming a verb that originally meant “to take shape” or “to become”. Over time, its usage shifted toward a prepositional function, emphasizing the state or identity of an entity rather than the process of shaping.

In colloquial speech, synonyms such as “menjadi” (to become) or “adalah” (is) may appear, but berupa retains a more specific nuance of classification. It is common in legal, governmental, and technical documents where precise categorization is required. Understanding the proper placement of berupa is essential for conveying accurate relationships between subjects and their attributes in Indonesian discourse.