daripada

Comparison Standard with Daripada

Level 2

In Indonesian, daripada is the formal way to say 'than' when comparing two things. It is also used to express preferences, often paired with lebih suka (prefer) or lebih baik (better).

How It Works

The word daripada is a compound of dari and pada, but it must always be written as one word. Its primary functions are:

1. Comparison (Than): It follows a comparative adjective, usually preceded by lebih (more) or kurang (less).
Structure: [A] + lebih [Adjective] + daripada + [B].
Example: Besi lebih berat daripada kayu. (Iron is heavier than wood.)

2. Preference (Rather than): It is used to contrast a preferred action or item against a rejected one, often with lebih baik.
Structure: [Subject] + lebih suka [A] + daripada + [B].
Example: Saya lebih suka membaca daripada menonton TV. (I prefer reading rather than watching TV.)
Structure: Daripada [A], lebih baik [B].
Example: Daripada mengeluh, lebih baik kita bekerja. (Instead of complaining, it is better that we work.)

Usage Notes:
• Alternatives: In informal speech, dari is a common alternative for comparisons. Depending on register and sentence structure, other comparison expressions include dibanding, dibandingkan (compared to), or ketimbang (rather than) used as natural alternatives to daripada.
• Proportions: While you may see daripada used for proportions (e.g., "one out of ten") in older texts or Malay, modern Indonesian uses dari for this purpose (satu dari sepuluh).
• Origin and Materials: For the ordinary origin, source or material model in modern Indonesian, use dari (e.g., terbuat dari emas). This is the clear model taught here; historical and other Malay usages should not be confused with the modern Indonesian comparison lesson.
• Common Learner Traps: Avoid overusing daripada. In standard Indonesian, it should not be used to indicate possession (e.g., use Amanat Presiden, not Amanat daripada Presiden) or as an object linker after verbs (e.g., use menyadari pentingnya, not menyadari daripada pentingnya).

Alternative Comparison: Mobil ini lebih cepat dari mobil itu is encountered with comparative dari. Daripada explicitly marks the comparison and is a clear choice in careful prose; the alternative is not an invented or inherently meaningless construction.

Examples (6)

  1. Gunung ini lebih tinggi daripada gunung itu.

    This mountain is taller than that mountain.

    Word by Word: Mountain this more tall than mountain that.

    A standard comparison using 'lebih' (more) and 'daripada' (than).

  2. Harga baju ini kurang mahal daripada baju yang merah.

    This shirt costs less than the red one.

    Word by Word: Price shirt this less expensive than shirt which red.

    Kurang mahal compares cost. The comparison with baju yang merah is understood as comparing its price, without repeating harga.

  3. Lebih baik mencegah daripada mengobati.

    It is better to prevent than to cure.

    Word by Word: More good prevent than cure.

    A common Indonesian proverb using 'lebih baik' (better) to show preference for one action over another.

  4. Saya lebih suka kopi daripada teh.

    I prefer coffee to tea.

    Word by Word: I more like coffee than tea.

    Using 'lebih suka' (prefer/like more) to express a choice between two nouns.

  5. Kesehatan lebih penting daripada kekayaan.

    Health is more important than wealth.

    Word by Word: Health more important than wealth.

    Comparing two abstract concepts in a formal sentence.

  6. Daripada menunggu lama, lebih baik kita jalan sekarang.

    Rather than waiting a long time, it is better we go now.

    Word by Word: Rather than wait long, more good we go now.

    Placing 'daripada' at the beginning of the sentence emphasizes the rejected option before stating the preferred one.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'daripada' for origin or source.

    Saya datang daripada Jakarta.
    Saya datang dari Jakarta.

    For the intended meaning coming from Jakarta, the ordinary modern standard form is dari Jakarta. Do not substitute the comparison marker daripada in this basic origin pattern.

  • Writing 'daripada' as two separate words.

    Dia lebih pintar dari pada saya.
    Dia lebih pintar daripada saya.

    In standard Indonesian orthography, 'daripada' is always written as a single, joined word.

How It Connects

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

daripadaLevel 2Comparison Standard with Daripada

Learn This First

To use 'daripada' for comparisons, you must first understand the basic comparative structures 'lebih' (more) and 'kurang' (less), as 'daripada' serves as the bridge to the noun being compared. Additionally, since these comparisons usually act as predicates, familiarity with basic adjective-based sentences is required.

Words in This Pattern

daripada