Anyway, we notice that there is this ongoing trend of using the word “unmood” among teenagers. (ongoing = sedang berlangsung)

(Yes, I like to eavesdrop on my sister’s conversation with her friends. I call it ‘research’) (eavesdrop = menguping)

Let’s talk about “unmood” today. What does it mean? How do we use it properly?

The first thing to do is to check the dictionary. This is what I found:

If it is not in the dictionary, then it is not a proper English word. Yes, “unmood” is one of the common mistakes that we make.

Let’s dig deeper. From how it is used, “unmood” seems to be a direct transliteration from “nggak mood”.

Example: “Gara-gara ujan, gue langsung unmood gitu.” // “‘Kan jadinya unmood kalo dianya ternyata diem aja.”

If we check the dictionary again, apparently there are 2 definition of the word ‘mood’. The first one:

And the 2nd definition is:

So the first definition is “temporary state of mind/feeling”. From here, we learn that ‘mood’ has a neutral meaning.

Which means you need to add an adjective (kata sifat) to describe it further. Example: Bad mood, good mood, party mood.

Other way to use it: ‘Not in the mood’, which is short for “I am not in the mood to study”, for example.

As for the 2nd definition: “Angry, irritable, sullen state of mind.” So, using ‘unmood’ to describe ‘a bad mood’ is incorrect.

Conclusion: Using ‘unmood’ to describe a bad mood or feeling not in the mood is wrong, because:

1. It has a neutral meaning.

2. Its other meaning actually means ‘an angry, irritable state of mind’.

Yes, it’s true that language develops, and many slang words end up being included in the dictionary.

A good example is “bootylicious”, which was invented by Beyonce when she was in Destiny’s Child:

There is a possibility that ‘unmood’ might also make it to the dictionary. But until it happens, it is an improper use of word.

So, our suggestion is to avoid (hindari) using it for the time being :)

Why? Because if we want to learn a language, we better learn how to use it right.

That’s how we know we have succeeded in learning something.

@Death_SW: @EnglishTips4U how about lexical gap?

Good question!

Lexical gap is when there is a pattern that is not correct based in one language, but correct if used in one language.

In that case, it seems fine to use ‘unmood’ because the structure is proper if we use Indonesian language as parameter.

But we’d like to emphasize more on English grammar perspective :) Slang words are often full of grammatical mistakes, yes, and it’s OK to use them. But it’s also good to know how to use it properly. You’ll never know when you need it! :D

Besides, lexical gap is restrictive in a way that only fellow Indonesians would understand if you’re using ‘unmood’.

Source: Oxford Dictionary, nikodemusoul.wordpress.com

Compiled by @animenur for @EnglishTips4U on Sunday, 15 February 2015.