kendati

Elevated Concession with Kendati

Level 6

kendati is a formal way to say "although" or "even though." It is a hallmark of journalistic and academic Indonesian, used to introduce a fact that contrasts with the main point of the sentence.

How It Works

kendati is an elevated conjunction used to link a subordinate clause to a main clause, expressing concession.

1. Usage and Placement
It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle to connect two clauses. When it starts a sentence, a comma usually separates the subordinate clause from the main clause. Note that in standard formal Indonesian, you should avoid pairing kendati in the subordinate clause with namun or tetapi in the main clause. For the basic edited model taught here, use kendati with a main clause, optionally containing tetap. Paired concessive and contrast markers occur in actual usage; avoid an unnecessary double connector in this model rather than treating every such pairing as universally ungrammatical.
Example: Kendati hari hujan, ia tetap pergi. (Although it is raining, he is still going.)

2. Morphological Variation and Synonyms
You will frequently see kendati in the joined form with -pun, forming kendatipun. Direct synonyms include the common walaupun and meskipun. Other variations include the highly formal or literary sungguhpun (which often carries a slightly more archaic or poetic tone compared to the bureaucratic or journalistic feel of kendati) and the standard biarpun, which is slightly less formal than kendati but still appropriate for written work.

3. Inter-sentential Transition: Kendati demikian
In formal writing, kendati demikian is used as a transition at the start of a new sentence, meaning 'Nevertheless' or 'Even so'. It refers back to the entirety of the previous sentence.
Example: Rencana itu sangat berisiko. Kendati demikian, dewan direksi tetap menyetujuinya. (The plan is very risky. Nevertheless, the board of directors still approved it.)

4. Reduced Clauses
Like other concessive conjunctions, kendati can precede an adjective or noun phrase directly, acting as a shortened version of a full clause.
Example: Kendati lelah... (Despite [being] tired...)

5. Register and Comparison
Kendati is common in formal writing, but its occurrence in conversation is not itself an error. It is common in journalism, legal documents, or formal essays. It is rarely used in casual conversation, where speakers prefer walaupun or tapi. Note that while tapi expresses contrast, it is a coordinating conjunction and cannot be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a subordinate clause in the way kendati does.

6. Secondary Meaning: Let alone
In older or highly literary texts, kendati can also function similarly to jangankan, meaning 'let alone' or 'not to mention'. In this usage, it sets up an extreme premise followed by an even more extreme conclusion.
Example: Kendati berjalan, berdiri pun ia tak sanggup. (Let alone walking, he couldn't even stand.)

Examples (4)

  1. Kendati hari hujan lebat, para demonstran tetap bertahan di depan gedung parlemen.

    Although it was raining heavily, the protesters remained in front of the parliament building.

    Word by Word: Although day rain heavy, plural demonstrator stay remain at front building parliament.

    This shows the standard use of 'kendati' at the start of a sentence to introduce a contrasting circumstance.

  2. Kendati lelah setelah bekerja seharian, ia masih menyempatkan diri untuk belajar.

    Despite being tired after working all day, he/she still made time to study.

    Word by Word: Despite tired after work all-day, he/she still make-time self for study.

    Here, 'kendati' is used with a reduced clause (just an adjective) rather than a full Subject-Verb clause.

  3. Kendati demikian, pemerintah tetap optimis akan pertumbuhan ekonomi tahun depan.

    Even so, the government remains optimistic about economic growth next year.

    Word by Word: Despite that-way, government stay optimistic about growth economy year front.

    Kendati demikian introduces nevertheless or even so. Optimis is used adjectivally in this example, as often occurs in usage; official word-choice guidance distinguishes the noun optimis from the adjective optimistis and recommends pemerintah tetap optimistis in carefully edited standard prose.

  4. Ia tetap berangkat ke kantor kendatipun badai sedang melanda kota itu.

    He/she still went to the office even though a storm was hitting the city.

    Word by Word: He/she stay depart to office even-though storm progressive hit city that.

    Kendatipun introduces the concessive clause after the main clause. The joined form is standard; emphasis depends on the surrounding discourse.

Common Mistakes

  • Separating the established conjunction kendatipun.

    Kendati pun lelah, ia tetap bekerja.
    Kendatipun lelah, ia tetap bekerja.

    EYD writes the established conjunction kendatipun as one word. This differs from ordinary additive pun, which is written separately.

How It Connects

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

kendatiLevel 6Elevated Concession with Kendati

Learn This First

Kendati is a high-level formal conjunction meaning 'although'. To use it correctly, learners should already be familiar with more common concessive markers like walaupun and meskipun, and be comfortable with the formal literary register of Indonesian.

Words in This Pattern

kendati