maknanya

Maknanya is a phrase in Malay and Indonesian that means “its meaning” or “what it means.” It is formed from makna, meaning meaning or sense, plus the possessive clitic -nya, which signals that the meaning belongs to or is related to something previously mentioned. The expression is commonly used to refer back to a prior statement, idea, or situation.

In usage, maknanya functions to clarify, interpret, or summarize the implications of a prior remark. It can introduce an explanation, a conclusion, or a reframing of what was said. The form is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts and is frequently found in spoken language as well as written text.

Examples illustrate its neutral, explanatory role. Maknanya, kita perlu berhati-hati dalam mengambil keputusan (Its meaning is that we need to be careful when making decisions). Maknanya dia tidak setuju dengan usulan itu (That means he disagrees with the proposal). Maknanya, peraturan baru perlu difahami oleh semua pihak (The implication is that the new rule must be understood by all parties).

In broader use, maknanya can be paired with verbs such as ialah or bermaksud to present the interpretation more explicitly. While synonymous with makna or maksud in some contexts, maknanya specifically points to “the meaning of it” rather than the general sense alone, helping connect an earlier statement to its interpretation.

See also: Makna, Maksud.