sebaliknya
Conversely
Sebaliknya introduces a reverse or opposing situation, like conversely or on the contrary. It also expresses vice versa in a phrase such as atau sebaliknya.
How It Works
Sebaliknya is a standard contrast expression used in writing and speech.
1. Sentence-Initial Usage
When starting a sentence, it must be followed by a comma. It introduces a situation that is the direct opposite of what was just mentioned.
Example: Dia sangat rajin. Sebaliknya, adiknya sangat malas. (He is very diligent. Conversely, his younger sibling is very lazy.)
2. Phrase-Final Usage (Vice Versa)
It can be used after atau (or) to indicate that the reverse of a statement is also true or possible.
Example: A ke B, atau sebaliknya. (A to B, or vice versa.)
3. Predicate Usage vs. Formal Nouns
While sebaliknya is often used as a predicate in journalistic contexts (e.g., Kenyataannya sebaliknya), a clear nominal model uses kebalikan after the copula adalah.
Example: Kenyataannya adalah kebalikannya. (The reality is the opposite.) This is a useful model, not a categorical ban on adalah sebaliknya, which is also attested in edited Indonesian.
4. Expressing 'The Opposite Of'
To say 'the opposite of [noun]', formal Indonesian uses kebalikan dari rather than 'sebaliknya dari', which is considered less standard.
Example: Sifatnya kebalikan dari kakaknya. (His character is the opposite of his older sibling's.)
5. Comparison with 'Justru'
Learners often confuse this with justru. Use sebaliknya to present a reverse situation and justru to emphasize a counterexpectation or a precise corrective point. These uses overlap: an opposite situation can also be surprising. Do not treat irony as a reason that sebaliknya is impossible.
Examples (5)
- Guru itu sangat sabar menghadapi muridnya. Sebaliknya, asistennya sering kehilangan kesabaran.
The teacher is very patient with the students. Conversely, the assistant often loses their patience.
Word by Word: Teacher that very patient face their students. Conversely, their assistant often lose patience.
Here, 'sebaliknya' contrasts two people with opposite traits (patient vs. impatient).
- Kita bisa pergi dari Jakarta ke Bandung, atau sebaliknya.
We can go from Jakarta to Bandung, or vice versa.
Word by Word: We can go from Jakarta to Bandung, or reverse-the.
In this context, 'sebaliknya' means the reverse direction (Bandung to Jakarta).
- Banyak orang mengira dia akan gagal, namun yang terjadi adalah kebalikannya.
Many people thought he/she would fail, but what happened was the opposite.
Word by Word: Many people think he/she will fail, but what happened is the opposite.
Kebalikannya supplies the noun phrase the opposite after adalah. This illustrates a clear nominal construction rather than proving that adalah sebaliknya is always wrong. The within-sentence namun here occurs in usage; conservative editing would use tetapi or a separate Namun, ... sentence.
- Hasil penelitian ini merupakan kebalikan dari apa yang kita harapkan.
The result of this research is the opposite of what we expected.
Word by Word: Result research this is opposite-the from what which we expect.
This demonstrates the standard formal construction 'kebalikan dari' to mean 'the opposite of'.
- Jika harga barang turun, permintaan akan naik; sebaliknya, jika harga naik, permintaan akan turun.
If the price of goods falls, demand will rise; conversely, if the price rises, demand will fall.
Word by Word: If price goods fall, demand will rise; conversely, if price rise, demand will fall.
This demonstrates formal logical reversal in an economic context.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the comma after 'sebaliknya' at the start of a sentence.
Sebaliknya dia tidak setuju.Sebaliknya, dia tidak setuju.In formal written Indonesian, conjunctive adverbs at the start of a sentence must be followed by a comma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'sebaliknya', learners should first be comfortable with basic contrastive conjunctions like 'tetapi' and sentence-level transitions like 'namun'. It also helps to understand how the suffix '-nya' can be used to refer back to a previously mentioned situation or to form a definite noun from a root meaning 'reverse'.
- namunSentence-level Contrast with Namun
Sebaliknya functions as a sentence-level transition similar to namun, but specifically for opposing or reverse cases.
Level 4 - -nya (takrif)Definite or Known -nya
The word sebaliknya contains the suffix -nya, which here functions to nominalize the root 'balik' (reverse/opposite) into 'the opposite'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- justruCounter-expectation with Justru
Justru can emphasize a counterexpectation or a precise correction. Sebaliknya presents a reverse situation; the two can overlap when that reversal is unexpected.
Level 4 - malahUnexpected Addition or Reversal
A less formal way to express 'instead' or 'on the contrary', often used for unexpected or ironic results.
Level 4 - sedangkanBalanced Contrast with Sedangkan
Used to contrast two things within the same sentence (whereas), while 'sebaliknya' usually starts a new sentence.
Level 4 - tetapiContrast with Tetapi
The standard word for 'but'; 'sebaliknya' is a more formal and logically specific alternative for reversals.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice sebaliknya in Bubblegum
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