katanya

Katanya is a word used in Indonesian and Malay that functions as an adverb indicating reported speech or hearsay. It translates roughly as “they say” or “he/she said.” The term is formed from the root kata, meaning “word” or “to say,” with the possessive suffix -nya to create a form used to attribute speech.

Usage and meaning: Katanya is used to report what someone else has said without quoting directly. Unlike direct quotes, it does not preserve exact wording and can express uncertainty or rumor. It can introduce statements about future, present, or past events depending on context. The word helps convey that the information is second-hand or contested, rather than a firsthand assertion.

In sentences, katanya can appear at the beginning or within a clause. Examples:

- Katanya dia akan datang malam ini. (They say he will come tonight.)

- Katanya hujan akan turun. (They say it will rain.)

Relationship to other forms: Katanya is closely related to other reporter phrases such as kata orang (people say) and dikatakan (it is said). While kata can introduce direct speech or a plain statement, katanya emphasizes hearsay or attribution to someone else and often distances the speaker from the claim.

Register and usage: Katanya is widely used in formal writing, journalism, and everyday conversation in Indonesian and Malay. It serves as a concise way to convey reported information without quoting the source directly.

See also: kata orang, dikatakan.