dasaradjektif

Dasaradjektif is a term used in some Indonesian-language linguistic discussions to refer to the set of core or base adjectives in a language. It denotes adjectives that are lexical in origin and not formed primarily through affixation or other productive derivational processes. The term is not universal in reference grammars, but it appears in teaching materials and analyses to distinguish simple, foundational adjectives from more complex, derived forms.

Core adjectives typically share certain features. They describe a property of a noun and can appear in attributive positions (rumah besar) as well as predicative positions (rumah itu besar). In languages that lack gender or number agreement, such adjectives generally do not change form for these categories. They can take degree modifiers, such as lebih or paling in Indonesian, to express comparative and superlative meaning (lebih besar, paling cantik, tercepat, terpanas). In addition, dasaradjektif can be contrasted with adjectives created through derivation from other parts of speech or through derivational affixes, which may alter meaning or part of speech.

In practice, the concept helps linguists analyze how much of an adjective’s meaning is tied to a basic descriptive sense versus how much arises from morphological processes. It also supports cross-linguistic comparison by isolating a core set of descriptive terms that languages share, even when their morphology differs. Usage of dasaradjektif varies by author and curriculum, and the exact boundaries between base and derived adjectives may differ accordingly. See also: kata sifat, adjektif, derivation in morphology.