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Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies

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Comparison of Binary and Non-binary Words between English and

Indonesian
Sariana1, Nurhayati2, Rahmi. R3
Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri (STAIN) Majene123
[email protected] 1, [email protected],
[email protected] 3

Abstract
This research aims to find out the comparison of binary and non-binary between English
and Indonesian. The researcher used an iterature approach to find out the comparison of
binary and non-binary. The opposite of a binary word is a word that does not have a middle
word or comparator. At the same time, the non-binary opposite word is the opposite word
that has a central word or comparator. In addition, researchers found similarities and
differences in the opposite words of binary and non-binary in English and Indonesian. The
form of the binary equation in both English and Indonesian shows that there is no
comparison or middle word between the two words.
Meanwhile, the non-binary in English and Indonesian has a comparison or central word.
Therefore, it is expected that there will often be differences in interpretation of the use of
opposite words in English and Indonesian. So, it can be concluded from the study results
that the two languages have different characteristics in using binary and non-binary
antonyms, both in terms of words and sentences. In addition, non-binary is very rarely found,
especially in English.
Keywords: Comparison, binary, non-binary, Indonesian, English.
1. Introduction
The use of opposite words in language has its division. The division of opposite words
in Indonesian and English still has differences and similarities, especially in binary and non-
binary terms. Asriati & Asmayanti (2021) state that binary is two words that are opposite and
cannot be counted, inversely proportional to non-binary, which are two opposite words but
can still be counted. Language users should have an understanding of the opposite forms
of these words. This research is done in the hope that users will no longer be confused
about distinguishing between binary and non-binary opposites.
The lack of knowledge about the opposites of binary and non-binary words in English
and Indonesian causes obstacles to distinguishing the opposite of binary and non-binary
terms. For example, between "beautiful" and "ugly" in Indonesian. Some people think that
this word is non-binary because there could be an intermediate word between "beautiful"
and "ugly". There is a middle word, which is "ordinary". In English, "alive" and "dead" are
binary because no intermediate expression can be measured.

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 Previous research on "Teaching Non-binary Antonym through Card Game Strategy to
the Seventh Grade Students" was conducted by Saputro. In his study, there is an example
of binary in English: the words "rich" and "poor". There is no intermediate word between
"rich" and "poor" in English. Whereas in Indonesian, there is a middle word between "rich"
and "poor", which is "simple".
Based on previous research, the researchers are interested in investigating the
comparison of binary and non-binary words in English and Indonesian. With the hope that
language users will no longer be confused when using binary and non-binary words in
English and Indonesian. In addition, this research will be beneficial in choosing binary and
non-binary words appropriate to the context, especially in speaking and writing skills.
2. Method
The researcher used a library research approach. Library research examines various
reference books and results of previous research that have similarities and help obtain a
theoretical basis for the problem to be studied (Sarwono in Sari, 2020). The purpose of this
research is to find out the comparison of binary and non-binary antonyms in Indonesian and
English.
3. Results
The final results obtained from this study are the similarities of binary and non-binary
antonyms between English and Indonesian, the differences of binary and non-binary
antonyms in English and Indonesian. The researcher found that there are some similarities
and differences of binary and non-binary antonyms in English and Indonesian. The binary
and non-binary antonyms are:
3.1. Findings
In lexical relations, there is something called an antonym. When we talk about
antonyms, we are talking about the existence of words with opposite meanings (Aqromi,
2019). Antonym consists of different types. But in this research, the types of antonyms that
will be discussed are binary and non-binary words antonym.
3.1.1. The concept of binary and non-binary words
a. The concept of binary words
According to Kreidler (2002), antonyms are two sentences with opposite or
contradictory meanings. When one word is accurate, the other word is false. When two
sentences have opposite predicates, it is called a binary antonym. There is no middle word
between the two contrasting terms.
Binary antonyms do not allow the existence of other words (Pangaribuan, 2022).

b. The concept of non-binary words

According to Kreidler (2002), when two sentences have opposite predicates, but
there is a mediator between the two words, it is called a non-binary antonym. The word non-
binary is rarely found in English. Usually, non-binary is often found in Indonesian.

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3.1.2. Similarities of binary and non-binary antonym in English and bahasa
Indonesia.
There are some examples of binary and non-binary equations in terms of examples
of their use in English and Indonesian, which are as follows.
a. Binary antonym
Example:
In English:
 “on” and “off”
 “legal” and “illegal”
 “true” and “false”
 “passed” and “failed”
 “black” and “white”
 “open” and “close”
 “live” and “dead”
 “broken” and “fixed”

In Indonesian:
 “nyala” dan “padam”
 “sah” dan “ tidak sah”
 “benar” and “salah”
 “lulus” dan “gagal”
 “Hitam” dan “putih”
 “Buka” dan “tutup”
 “hidup” dan “mati”
 “merusak” dan “memperbaiki”

Based on some examples of binary antonym words in Indonesian and English, it can
be concluded that there is no middle word between two opposite words in binary antonym.
Thus, this binary antonym word focuses only on the word in question.

b. Non-binary antonyms
Example:
Non-binary in English:
 "Tall" and "short"
There is an intermediate word between the words "big" and "small": a little big,
a little small, too big, and too small.
 "Expensive" and "cheap"
Between the words "expensive" and "cheap", there is a middle word:
somewhat expensive, somewhat cheap, too expensive, and too cheap.
 “Hot” and “cold”
There is a middle word between the words "hot" and "cold": warm and cool.

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  “Beautiful” and “ugly”
Between the words "beautiful" and "ugly" is an intermediate word: ordinary girl.

Non-binary in Indonesian:
 “tinggi” dan “pendek”
 “mahal” dan “murah”
 “panas” dan “dingin”
 “cantik” dan “jelek”
 “Tua” dan “Muda”

As for non-binary antonyms in Indonesian and English in some of the examples

above, they are different from binary. A non-binary antonym has one word that mediates
two opposite words. So that this non-binary will provide additional meaning and explanation.
The mediating word in this non-binary antonym does not consist of only one word but can
be more.

3.1.3. Perbedaan dari binary dan non binary antonym in English and bahasa
Indonesia
There are several examples of the difference between binary and non-binary in terms of
standards of its use in English and Indonesian, which are as follows.Example:
 “Rich” and “Poor”
English, "rich" and "poor" have no middle words. Therefore, "rich" and "poor"
are binary antonyms. Whereas in Indonesian, the words “kaya” dan “miskin” has a
middle word which is “tidak terlalu kaya” and “tidak terlalu miskin”. Oleh karena itu,
“kaya” and “miskin” are non-binary antonym.
 “Hot” and “Cold”
In English, "hot" and "cold" have no middle wordsTherefore, these two words
are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the word “Panas” and
“Dingin” has a middle word, which is “hangat”, "The word "Warm" in English does
exist, but its use is not included in the non-binary antonym (Aqromi, 2019). The word
"Warm" in English does exist, but its usage is not included in the non-binary.
 “Fast” and “slow”
In English, "fast" and "slow" have no middle word. Therefore, these two words
are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the word “cepat” dan
“lambat” has a middle word which is “tidak terlalu cepat” and tidak terlalu lambat or
“cukup lambat” and “cukup cepat”.
 “Come” and “go”
In English, "come" and "go" have no middle words. Therefore, these two words
are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, it has the central term
"menetap". Consequently, the words "datang" and "pergi" in Indonesian are non-
binary antonyms.
 “Win” and “lose”
In English, "win" and "lose" have no middle word. Therefore, these two words
are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the words "menang" and
"kalah" have a middle comment which is "bersaing". Therefore, the words "menang"
and "kalah" in Indonesian are non-binary antonyms.
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  “Active” and “passive”
In English, "active" and "passive" have no middle word. Therefore, these two
words are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the words "aktif"
and "pasif" have a middle word which is "moderat". Therefore, the words "aktif" and
"pasif" in Indonesian are non-binary antonyms.
 “Continue” and “stop.”
In English, "continue" and "stop" have no middle words. Therefore, these two
words are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the words
"melanjutkan" and "berhenti" have a middle word, namely "jeda". Therefore, the
words "berhenti" and "melanjutkan" in Indonesian are non-binary antonyms.
 “Good” and “bad”
In English, "bad" and "good" have no middle word. Therefore, these two words
are included in the binary antonym. Whereas in Indonesian, the words "baik" and
"buruk" have a middle word which is "rata-rata". Therefore, the words "baik" and
"buruk" in Indonesian are non-binary antonyms.
 “Evil” and “good”
In English, "evil" and "good" have a middle word. The central terms of "evil"
and "good" are very nice, quite nasty, neither nor rather lovely. Therefore, these two
words are included in the non-binary antonym. In Indonesian, "jahat" and "baik" have
no middle word. Thus, the words "baik" and "buruk" in Indonesian are binary
antonyms.
 “Agree” and “disagree”
In English, "agree" and "disagree" have a middle word. The central terms of
"agree" and "disagree" are: somewhat agree and somewhat disagree. Therefore,
these two words are included in the non-binary antonym. In Indonesian, the words
"setuju" and "tidak setuju" do not have a middle comment. Therefore, the words
"setuju" and "tidak setuju" in Indonesian are binary antonyms.
 “Bitter” and “sweet”
In English, "bitter" and "sweet" have a middle word. The central expression of
"bitter" and "sweet" is "bittersweet". Therefore, these two words are included in the
non-binary antonym. The words "pahit" and "manis" do not have a middle comment
in Indonesian. Therefore, the words "pahit" and "manis" in Indonesian are binary
antonyms.

3.2. Discussions
Traditional terminology states that antonyms are words with opposite meanings. This
The definition seems quite popular, so it is worth mentioning that when discussing antonyms,
we discuss the existence of words with opposing meanings (Aqromi, 2019). Antonym ada
beberapa jenis, salah satunya adalah binary and non-binary antonym.
Based on the results of the library research that has been carried out, the word binary
is often found in English and Indonesian. In addition, the term binary in English has many
similarities. However, the word non-binary is scarce, especially in English. Binary and non-
binary are two types of antonyms.
In English and Indonesian, there are some similarities and differences in binary and
non-binary words. The examples of binary similarities in Indonesian and English are as
follows
Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies 5
On and off
The words on and off in this example refer to electronic devices. "on" means turning
an electronic device on or off. Meanwhile, "off" means turning off or extinguishing an
electronic device. The example sentences are as follows:
Please turn off the lamp!
Please turn on the lamp!
True and False
The word true means factual. Meanwhile, the word false means wrong or false. The
example sentences are as follows:
The statement is true
The statement is false
Live and dead
The word "live" means that we are still breathing and can continue living. Whereas
the word "dead" suggests that our breathing has stopped and we cannot continue living.
The example sentences are as follows:
The cat is dead
The cat is still live

Examples of non-binary equations in Indonesian and English are as follows:

Expensive and cheap
In this example, the words expensive and cheap focus on the context of the price of
goods. The term "expensive" means the cost of an item is very high. Meanwhile, the word
"cheap" means the price of an item is low or affordable. The example sentences are as
follows:
The book is too expensive
Books are too cheap
Beautiful and Ugly
The words beautiful and ugly in this example focus on the physical context of the
face. The term "beautiful" means a woman who has an attractive look. Meanwhile, ugly
means a woman or man with a sour face. In Indonesian and English, beauty and ugliness
are not only measured by the beginning. The example sentences are as follows:
Nanas is a very beautiful girl
Nanas is a very ugly girl

In addition to similarities, binary and non-binary words differ in Indonesian and English.
The examples of differences in terms of usage are as follows:
Rich and Poor
The words rich and poor in this example focus on people with a lot of money and
those with little money. The term is binary in English because there is no middle word
between rich and poor. Meanwhile, in Indonesian, the word is non-binary because there is
a central word between rich and poor, namely simple. The example sentences are as
follows:
My family is simple (neither rich nor poor).
Fast and Slow
The words fast and slow in this example focus on the context of driving a vehicle. In
Indonesian, the middle terms of fast and slow are not too fast, not too slow, slow enough,
and fast enough. The example sentences are as follows:
The motorcycle was traveling quite slowly

Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies 6

That car is going fast enough
The bicycle is going too slow

Good and bad

The words good and evil in this example are in the context of student grades. In
Indonesian, there is an average middle word between good and evil. The example sentence
is as follows:
Student exam results in the vocabulary in context course are average (most students
get a score that could be better or better.
Bitter and Sweet
The words bitter and sweet in this example are the flavors of food or drink. There is
a middle word for bitter and sweet in English, which is bittersweet. The example sentences
are as follows.
This bread tastes bittersweet.

4. Conclusion
Based on the findings and discussions above, this research aims to discover the
difference between binary and non-binary words in English and Indonesian. This research
uses a library research method that references previous research. In this study, the
researcher found that binary is an opposite word that does not have a middle word or a
comparator between two words. At the same time, non-binary is the opposite word with a
central word or comparator between two words.
In addition, researchers also found similarities and differences between binary and
non-binary in both Indonesian and English. For example, the counterpart of binary in English
is that the words "on" and "off" do not have a comparative or intermediate word. Likewise,
the words "on" and "off" in Indonesian also do not have a relative word. Meanwhile, the non-
binary opposite words in English, namely the words "tall" and "short," have comparative or
intermediate words, namely rather tall, relatively short, too tall, and too fast. Likewise, the
words "tall" and "short" in Indonesian are the exact comparative words in English.
In addition, researchers also found differences in the opposite words of binary and
non-binary in Indonesian and English. For example, the difference between the opposite of
binary and non-binary words in English is that "rich" and "poor" do not have a middle
comment, so they are included in the binary antonym. Unlike in Indonesian, the words "rich"
and "poor" have a central term, namely "not too rich" and "not too poor," which are included
in the non-binary antonym.
Afterward, the word binary is easy to find in Indonesian and English. However, the
word non-binary is scarce, especially in English. Therefore, researchers had difficulty in
finding non-binary in English.
Based on the above statement, the researcher hopes this research can be a
reference for educators and students regarding the opposite words binary and non-binary
in English and Indonesian. There are similarities and differences in the opposite terms,
binary and non-binary. In addition, researchers also hope that this research can be a
reference for other researchers who want to study this research. It is expected to be an
added value for STAIN Majene as a university under the auspices However, the Ministry of
Religion from the various research benefits mentioned earlier. Researchers still need help
finding assorted references that support this research. It is hoped that future researchers
can find more related connections to the investigation.

Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies 7

References

Kreidler, C. (2002). Introducing english semantics. Routledge.

Sari, M., & Asmendri, A. (2020). Library research in science education research. Natural
Science, 6(1), 41-53., 6(1), 41-53.
Saputro, J. P. (2019). TEACHING NON-BINARY ANTONYM THROUGH CARD GAME
STRATEGY TO THE SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS. Esteem Journal of
English Education Study Programme, 2(1), 70-85.
Aqromi, N. L. (2019). Semantics Analysis. PIONEER: Journal of Language and
Literature, 11(1), 21-31.
Asrianti & Asmayanti (2020), Semantics book for English department student.
Muhammadiyah University of Makassar.
Pangaribuan, M. (2022). AN ANALYSIS OF ENTAILMENT FOUND ON COSMETIC AND
FAS FOOD ADVERTISEMENT. JETAL: Journal of English Teaching &
Applied Linguistic, 4(1), 19-26.

Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies 8