lantaran

Cause with Lantaran

Level 6

Lantaran is a causal marker used to explain 'why' something happened. It functions similarly to karena but is more common in informal speech and can also act as a noun meaning 'the cause'.

How It Works

Lantaran is a versatile causal marker that operates in two primary ways:

1. As a Conjunction: It links a result to its cause. In this role, it can precede a noun phrase or a full clause. For example: lantaran macet (because of traffic) or lantaran dia lupa (because he forgot).

2. As a Noun: Unlike karena, lantaran can function as a noun meaning 'the reason' or 'the cause.' This usage is often found in more literary or classic contexts, such as Apa lantaran perselisihan itu? (What was the cause of that dispute?).

Nuance and Register:

  • Informality and Negative Nuance: In modern contexts, it is considered colloquial (cakapan). It is often interchangeable with gara-gara when pointing to a negative trigger or an 'excuse.' While akibat focuses on the consequence and berkat focuses on a positive cause, lantaran is frequently used for neutral or slightly negative reasons.
  • Literary Roots: Despite its modern informal status, it appears in classic Indonesian literature, where it provides a rhythmic, traditional feel.

Morphology:
The root lantar underlies lantaran and the verb melantarkan, which means 'to cause,' 'to bring about,' or 'to mediate/convey' (e.g., melantarkan pesan - to convey a message). Note that this is distinct from menelantarkan (root: telantar), which means to neglect or abandon.

Examples (5)

  1. Dia tidak datang lantaran sakit gigi.

    He/she did not come because of a toothache.

    Word by Word: He/she not come because toothache.

    Here, 'lantaran' functions as a conjunction linking the absence to the specific reason (a toothache).

  2. Rencana itu gagal lantaran kurangnya koordinasi.

    The plan failed due to a lack of coordination.

    Word by Word: Plan that fail because lack-of coordination.

    In this sentence, 'lantaran' is used to pinpoint the specific factor that caused the failure.

  3. Apa yang menjadi lantaran kemarahannya?

    What caused his/her anger?

    Word by Word: What that become cause of his/her anger?

    In this example, 'lantaran' acts as a noun meaning 'the cause' or 'the reason'.

  4. Lantaran hari sudah malam, kami memutuskan untuk pulang.

    Because it was already night, we decided to go home.

    Word by Word: Because day already night, we decide to go-home.

    This shows 'lantaran' at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a causal clause.

  5. Jangan sampai perselisihan ini melantarkan perpecahan.

    Don't let this dispute cause a split.

    Word by Word: Do-not until dispute this cause split.

    This uses the verbal form 'melantarkan' to mean 'to cause' or 'to bring about'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'melantarkan' with 'menelantarkan'.

    Dia menelantarkan pesan itu kepada ibunya.
    Dia melantarkan pesan itu kepada ibunya.

    For the intended meaning convey the message, melantarkan comes from lantar. Menelantarkan means neglect or abandon and does not convey that intended meaning. These are distinct lexical forms, not freely interchangeable spellings.

  • Confusing 'lantaran' with 'lontaran'.

    Dia sedih lontaran perkataan temannya.
    Dia sedih lantaran perkataan temannya.

    'Lontaran' means 'a throw' or 'an utterance' (from 'lontar'). 'Lantaran' is the word for 'because'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

lantaranLevel 6Cause with Lantaran

Learn This First

To understand 'lantaran', a learner should already be familiar with the standard way to express reason using 'karena'. Since 'lantaran' often carries a critical or colloquial tone, familiarity with informal question words like 'kenapa' helps contextualize its usage in everyday speech.

Words in This Pattern

lantaran