Indonesian · Question Words
mengapa
Why
Beginneradverb
Definition
Used to ask about reasons; kenapa is the casual form.
Example
Mengapa kamu terlambat?
Why were you late?
Etymology
'Mengapa' comes from the Malay language, meaning 'why'. It is formed from the interrogative phrase used to inquire about reasons or causes.
How & Where It’s Used
'Mengapa' is frequently used in both spoken and written forms, applicable in informal and formal discourse across Indonesia.