maka

Formal Result with Maka

Level 2

Maka is a formal resultative marker. It is most commonly used in the structure Jika... maka... (If... then...) or to introduce a logical consequence in academic and legal writing.

How It Works

Maka functions as a formal bridge between a cause/condition and its effect. While the root form often has a formal or literary tone, its derivative makanya is ubiquitous in daily life.

1. Linking Cause and Result
The most fundamental use of maka is as an intra-sentence conjunction linking a cause to its result, meaning "therefore" or "so." It connects two clauses within a single sentence without needing an "if" word. Do not insert a comma merely because maka appears. Under the EYD comma rule, a comma does not separate a main clause from a following subordinate clause; a straightforward result sequence is therefore Harga naik maka permintaan turun, without a comma before maka.

2. The "Jika... Maka..." Error
Traditional school and editorial guidance generally avoids pairing jika (if) with maka, analyzing both clauses as explicitly marked. Logical, mathematical, legal, and administrative writing nevertheless has an established paired 'if ... then ...' convention. In strict general prose, omit maka; in those specialized contexts, recognize the pair as a register convention rather than declaring it universally ungrammatical.
• Incorrect: Jika harga naik, maka permintaan turun.
• Correct: Jika harga naik, permintaan turun.
• Correct: Harga naik maka permintaan turun.

3. The "Karena... Maka..." Error
Traditional edited prose likewise prefers choosing either karena (because) or maka. There is a genuine descriptive-prescriptive tension: KBBI's own entry for maka records a karena ..., maka ... example, showing that the pairing is attested even though school-style syntax guidance discourages it. For clear strict prose, choose one conjunction, but do not treat every attested pair as impossible Indonesian.
• Incorrect: Karena cuaca buruk, maka penerbangan dibatalkan.
• Correct: Karena cuaca buruk, penerbangan dibatalkan.
• Correct: Cuaca buruk maka penerbangan dibatalkan.

4. Sentence-Initial Use and Standards
Standalone sentence-initial Maka, ... is attested in modern writing, but it is a marked literary or rhetorical continuation rather than the generally recommended neutral connector. Formal editing guides classify root maka primarily as an intra-sentence conjunction; use oleh karena itu, oleh sebab itu, or jadi for neutral modern exposition. The longer maka dari itu is common in speech and journalism but is likewise best replaced in tightly edited academic writing.

5. Colloquial Use: "Makanya"
In everyday conversation, Indonesians rarely use 'maka' alone. Instead, they use makanya (a combination of maka + -nya) to mean "that's why" or "therefore." It is the standard way to link a reason to a result in casual settings. Additionally, makanya is often used as a standalone interjection meaning "See? I told you so!" or "Exactly!".

6. Narrative/Literary Use
In classical Malay and Indonesian literature (Hikayat), maka appears frequently at the start of sentences as a discourse filler or sequencer, meaning "and then" or "thereupon."

7. Comparison with "Jadi"
Unlike jadi, which is the everyday way to say "so," the root maka carries a weight of logical necessity and formal authority.

Examples (5)

  1. Dia bangun kesiangan maka dia tertinggal kereta.

    He woke up late, so he missed the train.

    Word by Word: He wake-up overslept, then he left-behind train.

    This shows intra-sentence maka linking a cause and result. No comma is inserted solely before the conjunction.

  2. Jika A sama dengan B, maka B sama dengan A.

    If A equals B, then B equals A.

    Word by Word: If A same with B, then B same with A.

    The paired if...then form is established in logical and mathematical statements. Conservative school-style prose often omits maka; recognize the specialized convention rather than declaring all such pairs ungrammatical.

  3. Apabila syarat tidak dipenuhi, maka permohonan Anda akan ditolak.

    If the requirements are not met, then your application will be rejected.

    Word by Word: If requirements not be-fulfilled, then application you will be-rejected.

    Legal and administrative writing uses this paired form to mark a consequence explicitly. Conservative general prose can instead omit maka.

  4. Jika hari hujan, pertandingan akan dibatalkan.

    If it rains, the match will be canceled.

    Word by Word: If day rain, match will be canceled.

    This follows the conservative single-conjunction model by omitting maka after jika. Paired jika...maka also has established specialized uses.

  5. Maka berjalanlah sang raja ke arah timur.

    And then the king walked toward the east.

    Word by Word: Then walk-lah the king to direction east.

    In classical literature (Hikayat), 'maka' is used as a narrative sequencer meaning 'and then' or 'thereupon'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'maka' in casual conversation.

    Aku lapar, maka aku mau makan.
    Aku lapar, makanya aku mau makan.

    Makanya or jadi is a familiar conversational result marker. Maka can give a more formal or rhetorical tone; context determines whether that tone is useful.

  • Using 'Maka dari itu' at the start of a formal sentence.

    Maka dari itu, kita harus bekerja keras.
    Oleh karena itu, kita harus bekerja keras.

    Maka dari itu is common in both speech and writing. In very strict formal prose, oleh karena itu is the more conservative choice.

  • Using the paired karena ... maka ... construction in strict edited prose without a register-specific reason.

    Karena hujan deras, maka jalanan banjir.
    Karena hujan deras, jalanan banjir.

    Strict school and editorial guidance prefers one conjunction so that only the cause or the result is explicitly marked. KBBI itself records a paired example, so the construction is attested; use the single-conjunction form shown here for conservative formal prose.

How It Connects

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makaLevel 2Formal Result with Maka

Learn This First

To understand 'maka', learners should first be familiar with how Indonesian connects clauses of cause and effect using the informal 'jadi'. Since 'maka' is a formal marker often paired with conditional statements, familiarity with 'jika' (if) is also essential for recognizing its most common formal usage patterns.

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maka