sepenuh

Sepenuh is a term used in Malay and Indonesian that functions as a prefix indicating totality or entirety when attached to a following noun or noun phrase. It is formed from the prefix se- combined with penuh, meaning full. The result conveys that something is done in full, wholly, or to the maximum extent, rather than partially. Sepenuh is most often seen in set phrases that describe duration, commitment, or scope, and it typically precedes a noun or a fixed expression such as sepenuh masa or sepenuh hati.

Etymology and usage: The prefix se- in Malay and Indonesian expresses totality, unity, or completeness, and penuh means full. When combined as sepenuh, the word introduces a sense of total extent toward the modified noun. The construction is common in formal and literary registers, and it can appear in different fixed collocations rather than as a freely inflected form. The accompanying noun phrase carries the content of fullness, while sepenuh provides the qualitative framing.

Common constructions and examples: The most widely used collocations include sepenuh masa (full-time), sepenuh hati (with all one’s heart), and sepenuh hidup (the whole life). In these phrases, sepenuh modifies the noun to express complete engagement or full duration. Sepenuh can also appear in phrases like sepenuh usaha or sepenuh perhatian, conveying total commitment or attention. In many contexts, sepenuh functions similarly to synonyms such as seluruh or sepenuhnya, though the exact nuance may differ.

See also: penuh, sepenuhnya, seluruh, sepenuh hati, sepenuh masa.