setinggi

Setinggi is a grammatical form used in Indonesian and Malay that combines the prefix se- with the adjective tinggi (high, tall). It expresses degree in a comparison and is typically placed before a noun to mean “as high as” or “as tall as,” often in figurative or descriptive contexts. The se- prefix conveys extremity or totality, so phrases like setinggi langit convey a height comparable to the sky, and setinggi gunung to a height comparable to a mountain.

In usage, setinggi describes the relative height of something with respect to the noun that follows. It is common in both everyday speech and literary language to create vivid images, such as describing buildings, landscapes, or aspirations. The construction can also appear in idiomatic expressions that emphasize degree or scope, for example setinggi langit, setinggi gunung, or setinggi-tingginya, which signals the absolute maximum or utmost reach.

Variants and nuance include setinggi-tingginya, used to intensify the degree to the utmost extent, as in setinggi-tingginya impian (the highest possible dream). While Indonesian often employs lebih tinggi for direct comparisons, setinggi remains a fixed, metaphorical form that foregrounds imagery and emphasis. The term is shared with Malay and is common in poetry, proverbs, and formal writing, where it contributes to expressive heightening of language.

See also: tinggi, se- prefix, Indonesian and Malay comparative and simile constructions.