Conjunctions and Connectors: How to Join Clauses, Phrases, and Words in Indonesian

Now that you’ve got a grip on individual words and maybe even on stringing together some simple sentences, here’s the head-scratcher: how do you link them up seamlessly? It’s like putting together a puzzle—you’ve got all the pieces, but how do you make them fit together just right?

That’s where Indonesian conjunctions and connectors come in, adding the glue that holds your thoughts together in one cohesive flow.

In this article, we’ll dive into Indonesian conjunctions and connectors, your handy linguistic tools to keep conversations in Indonesian flowing smoothly. We’ll explore common conjunctions and connectors used in Indonesian, providing examples and explanations to help you grasp their practical application.

So, whether you’re starting from scratch or aiming to level up, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to link ideas and express yourself with confidence.

Contents

Types of Connectors
What to Read Next

Types of Connectors

Contrast

Some conjunctions and connectors in Indonesian can be your go-to tools for highlighting differences or introducing opposing ideas. Check out some examples:

“Tetapi” – This conjunction translates to “but” in English and is commonly used to introduce a contrasting idea or statement. For example:
- Saya ingin pergi ke pesta, tetapi saya terlalu sibuk. (I want to go to the party, but I’m too busy.)

“Namun” – Similar to “tetapi,” “namun” also means “however” or “nevertheless” and is used to present a contrasting perspective or outcome. For instance:
- Dia berjanji akan datang, namun dia tidak muncul. (He promised to come, but he didn’t show up.)

“Walaupun” – This conjunction translates to “although” or “even though” and is used to introduce a contrasting condition or circumstance. For example:
- Walaupun hujan turun deras, kami tetap melanjutkan perjalanan. (Although it was raining heavily, we continued our journey.)

Addition

There are conjunctions and connectors you can use to add information or ideas, building upon the main point or narrative. Here are some examples:

“Dan” – This conjunction translates to “and” in English and is used to link two related ideas or actions together. For instance:
- Saya membeli roti dan susu di toko. (I bought bread and milk at the store.)

“Serta” – Similar to “dan,” “serta” also means “and” or “as well as” and is often used to indicate additional items or elements. For example:
- Dia membawa kamera serta tripod dalam perjalanan itu. (He brought a camera as well as a tripod during the trip.)

“Juga” – This connector means “also” or “too” in English and is used to add information or actions to what has already been mentioned. For instance:
- Saya suka makanan pedas, dan dia juga. (I like spicy food, and he does too.)

Choice

Conjunctions of choice in Indonesian are used to present alternatives or options. They help clarify decisions or possibilities in a sentence. Here are some examples:

“Atau” – This conjunction translates to “or” in English and is used to present two or more alternatives. For example:
- Apakah kamu mau kopi atau teh? (Do you want coffee or tea?)

“Ataupun” – Similar to “atau,” “ataupun” also means “or” and is used to present alternatives. For instance:
- Dia bisa memilih warna merah ataupun biru untuk mobilnya. (He can choose either red or blue for his car.)

“Maupun” – This conjunction means “or” or “either…or” and is used to present alternatives or options, often in a negative sentence. For example:
- Anak-anak itu tidak suka makanan manis maupun makanan asin itu. (The children don’t like either the sweet or the salty food.)

Cause and Effect

You should also learn some conjunctions and connectors that are used for showing why things happen or what results from certain actions. Here are some examples of conjunctions/connectors in this category:

“Karena” – This conjunction translates to “because” in English and is used to introduce the reason or cause behind a particular action or event. For example:
- Saya terlambat karena macet di jalan. (I was late because of the traffic jam.)

“Sebab” – Similar to “karena,” “sebab” also means “because” and is used to indicate the cause or reason for something. For instance:
- Dia tidak bisa datang ke pesta sebab dia sakit. (He couldn’t come to the party because he’s sick.)

“Sehingga” – This conjunction translates to “so that” or “resulting in” in English and is used to indicate the consequence or result of a preceding action or event. For example:
- Saya belajar dengan tekun sehingga saya bisa lulus ujian dengan baik. (I studied diligently so that I could pass the exam well.)

“Akibatnya” – This conjunction means “as a result” or “consequently” and is used to introduce the consequence or effect of a preceding action or event. For instance:
- Dia terlambat datang, akibatnya dia kehilangan kesempatan itu. (He came late, as a result, he missed that opportunity.)

Time

Temporal conjunctions and connectors help you string events together, show when things are happening at the same time, or put events in order. Some examples include:

“Ketika” – This conjunction translates to “when” in English and is used to indicate a specific point in time when an action or event occurs. For example:
- Saya akan memanggilmu ketika saya tiba di rumah. (I will call you when I arrive home.)

“Sementara” – Similar to “while” in English, “sementara” is used to indicate actions or events that occur simultaneously or concurrently. For instance:
- Saya sedang bekerja, sementara dia sedang istirahat. (I’m working while he’s resting.)

“Setelah” – This conjunction translates to “after” in English and is used to indicate an action or event that occurs subsequent to another action or event. For example:
- Dia akan menelepon saya setelah dia selesai makan. (He will call me after he finishes eating.)

Purpose

Conjunctions of purpose in Indonesian are handy words for expressing the intention or goal behind an action or event. They clarify the reason for which something is done. Take a look at some examples:

“Supaya” – This conjunction is used to express purpose or intention, similar to “so that” or “in order to” in English. For example:
- Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia supaya saya bisa berkomunikasi dengan teman-teman saya. (I’m learning Indonesian so that I can communicate with my friends.)

“Agar” – Similar to “supaya,” “agar” is used to indicate purpose or intention. It can be translated as “so that” or “in order to.” For instance:
- Dia berlatih setiap hari agar dia bisa menjadi pemain sepak bola yang baik. (He practices every day so that he can become a good soccer player.)

“Untuk” – This conjunction is used to express purpose or intention, similar to “for” or “to” in English. For example:
- Dia pergi ke toko untuk membeli makanan. (He went to the store to buy food.)

Sequence

Conjunctions of sequence in Indonesian are like your roadmap, showing the order of events or actions. They’re all about keeping things organized and making sure you know what comes first, next, and so on. Check out these examples:

“Lalu” – This conjunction translates to “then” or “and then” in English and is used to indicate the next action or event in a sequence. For example:
- Saya bangun pagi-pagi, lalu mandi. (I wake up early, then I take a shower.)

“Kemudian” – Similar to “lalu,” “kemudian” also means “then” or “and then” and is used to indicate the subsequent action or event. For instance:
- Dia pergi ke toko buah, kemudian ke toko roti. (He goes to the fruit store, then to the bakery.)

“Setelah itu” – This conjunction translates to “after that” or “afterwards” in English and is used to indicate the action or event that occurs immediately after another. For example:
- Saya sedang sarapan, setelah itu saya berangkat kerja. (I’m eating breakfast, after that I leave for work.)

There you have it! As you settle into the rhythm of life in Indonesia, think of conjunctions and connectors as your language lifelines. Whether you’re ordering nasi goreng at a local warung or navigating the bustling streets of Jakarta, these linguistic tools are your secret weapons for smooth communication.

So, as you embrace the expat journey, don’t overlook the importance of mastering these everyday essentials.

With a bit of practice and a touch of cultural immersion, you’ll be weaving sentences like a local in no time, connecting with the vibrant community around you. Here’s to the adventure of expat life and the joys of learning Indonesian!