sebenarnya

Sebenarnya is an Indonesian adverb meaning in fact, actually, or truly. It is used to indicate the truth of a statement, to contrast appearances with reality, or to soften a claim by introducing clarification or correction. In everyday language, it often precedes a clause that the speaker wants to present as more accurate or sincere than what might have been implied.

Etymology and formation: sebenarya is formed from the root adjective benar, meaning true or correct, with the prefix se- and the suffix -nya. The se- prefix conveys a sense of totality or emphasis, producing a word that refers to the underlying truth rather than a surface appearance. The result is a fixed lexical item commonly used as an adverb.

Usage: sebenarny is versatile in discourse. It can introduce a correction, a nuanced point, or an apology, and it frequently appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause for emphasis. Examples include: “Sebenarnya, aku hanya ingin membantu,” meaning “Actually, I just want to help,” or “Sebenarnya dia tidak setuju, tetapi diam saja,” meaning “In fact, he didn’t agree, but he stayed silent.” It can also appear mid-sentence to qualify a statement.

Nuance: The word carries a neutral to slightly cautious tone. It does not express strong emotion by itself but signals a shift toward truth, accuracy, or honesty in the speaker’s message. It is common in both spoken Indonesian and formal writing, and it is often preferred over more forceful synonyms when the speaker wishes to acknowledge a counterpoint or correct a misperception.

See also: benar, kenyataan, faktanya.