tetapi

Contrast with Tetapi

Level 1

Use tetapi to join two contrasting parts of a sentence. It is the formal standard for "but". EYD requires a comma before it when it joins contrasting clauses in a compound sentence.

How It Works

Tetapi is one of the most essential tools for expressing contrast in Indonesian.

1. Syntactic Function
It functions as an intrakalimat (intra-sentence) conjunction. Its primary and most common function is to connect two independent clauses to show contrast (kalimat majemuk setara pertentangan). For example: Saya ingin pergi, tetapi hujan turun sangat deras. (I want to go, but it is raining very heavily.) Formal usage guides treat tetapi as an intra-sentence conjunction and recommend avoiding it at the start of a new sentence. For starting new sentences, use namun or the formal phrase akan tetapi instead.

2. Punctuation Rules
EYD requires a comma before tetapi in compound sentences expressing contrast. This includes a contrast with a repeated subject left unspoken, as in the following example. Do not turn this clause-level rule into a claim that every short coordination of words always requires a comma.
Example: Dia pintar, tetapi malas. (He is smart, but lazy.)

3. Register and Variations

  • Tetapi: The full, formal form used in writing and formal speeches.
  • tapi: The shortened, informal version used in daily conversation. Note: While formal writing requires a comma before 'tetapi', comma use before 'tapi' varies in informal writing. Furthermore, in informal spoken Indonesian, native speakers frequently start sentences with the shortened 'tapi'.
  • Akan tetapi: A formal variant used at the beginning of a sentence (inter-sentence) to mean "However." Sentence-initial akan tetapi and namun are followed by a comma.

4. Contrast and Correlative Pairs
Tetapi is frequently used in specific paired structures:

  • tidak hanya ... tetapi juga ... (not only ... but also ...). This additive construction can relate different word and phrase classes, including nominal expressions.
  • tidak ... tetapi ... (not [verb/adjective/adverb], but ...). This is used with verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
  • bukan ... melainkan ... (not X, but rather Y). A conventional formal pattern for correcting an identification or rejected alternative; contrasting predicates are also possible, so it is not restricted to nouns.
  • bukan hanya ... melainkan juga ... (not only X, but also Y), an additive correlative that can coordinate parallel nominal, verbal, or adjectival expressions.

5. Avoiding Redundant Contrast Markers in Formal Writing
Formal editing guides recommend choosing either a subordinating conjunction such as meskipun or walaupun (although), or the coordinating conjunction tetapi. For an edited formal sentence, write Meskipun hujan, kami berangkat or Hujan, tetapi kami berangkat. Combining the two is common in speech, but is usually revised in formal writing. The recommendation concerns how the clauses are linked, not the absence of an understandable main message.

Conventional Pairings: tidak ... tetapi ... and bukan ... melainkan ... are useful formal models. However, do not treat every other pairing as inherently ungrammatical: standard reference grammar records variation in corrective and additive constructions. In particular, additive tidak/bukan hanya ... tetapi/melainkan juga ... is not governed by a strict noun-versus-verb split. Match the intended contrast and keep coordinated elements clear.

Examples (5)

  1. Dia sangat pintar, tetapi malas.

    He is very smart, but lazy.

    Word by Word: He very smart, but lazy.

    Here, 'tetapi' connects two contrasting adjectives (smart and lazy) describing the same person.

  2. Saya ingin membeli mobil baru, tetapi uang saya tidak cukup.

    I want to buy a new car, but my money is not enough.

    Word by Word: I want buy car new, but money I not enough.

    This example shows 'tetapi' connecting two full clauses. Note the mandatory comma before 'tetapi'.

  3. Proyek ini tidak hanya mahal, tetapi juga memakan waktu lama.

    This project is not only expensive, but also takes a long time.

    Word by Word: Project this not only expensive, but also take time long.

    The correlative pair 'tidak hanya... tetapi juga...' (not only... but also...) is a core pattern used to add complementary information.

  4. Pria itu bukan guru, melainkan dokter.

    That man is not a teacher, but a doctor.

    Word by Word: Man that not teacher, but doctor.

    This follows the conventional formal corrective pair bukan ... melainkan ... to replace one identification with another.

  5. Cuaca hari ini sangat buruk. Akan tetapi, kami tetap berangkat.

    The weather today is very bad. However, we are still leaving.

    Word by Word: Weather day this very bad. Will but, we still leave.

    Formal usage guides recommend akan tetapi or namun for a contrast that starts a new sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Starting a formal sentence with 'Tetapi'.

    Tetapi, dia tidak datang.
    Akan tetapi, dia tidak datang.

    In formal Indonesian, 'tetapi' is an intra-sentence conjunction. To start a new sentence with 'However', use 'Namun' or 'Akan tetapi'.

  • Treating every contrast after bukan as an identical construction.

    Ini bukan buku saya, tetapi buku dia.
    Ini bukan buku saya, melainkan buku dia.

    For a straightforward formal correction of one identity to another, bukan ... melainkan ... is a useful model. Additive bukan hanya constructions allow wider pairing variation; do not apply an absolute ban on tetapi to every use of bukan.

  • Combining 'meskipun' or 'walaupun' with 'tetapi' in the same sentence.

    Meskipun hujan turun, tetapi dia tetap pergi.
    Meskipun hujan turun, dia tetap pergi.

    Formal editing guides recommend using either meskipun/walaupun for a concessive subordinate clause or tetapi for coordination. The combined pattern occurs in speech but is normally simplified in formal writing.

How It Connects

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tetapiLevel 1Contrast with Tetapi

Learn This First

To use 'tetapi' (but), you must first be able to construct independent clauses using basic SVO word order and understand how simple coordination works in Indonesian.

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