sejauh
Insofar as or as Far as
Sejauh can indicate physical distance, as far as the eye can see, or delimit knowledge and progress, as far as I know or so far. Context determines which boundary is relevant.
How It Works
In Indonesian, sejauh is a versatile tool for setting boundaries. While it can describe physical distance, it also has metaphorical uses for the extent of knowledge or a situation.
1. Limiting Knowledge (Epistemic Limit)
It is most commonly used with yang to limit a statement to the speaker's current knowledge (e.g., Sejauh yang saya tahu...). Alternatively, it can be followed directly by a noun phrase in formal contexts, such as sejauh pengetahuan saya (as far as my knowledge goes).
2. Temporal Limit (So Far)
When combined with the demonstrative ini, it forms the phrase sejauh ini, which means 'so far' or 'up to this point in time.'
3. Degree and Extent
In formal or academic contexts, it is often paired with mana to form sejauh mana ('to what extent'). This is used to inquire about the depth or progress of a situation.
4. Intensive/Superlative Form
The reduplicated form sejauh-jauhnya (with -nya as part of the degree construction, not a third-person object) means 'as far as possible' or 'to the furthest extent.' This is used to emphasize reaching the absolute limit of a distance or action.
5. Physical Distance
It can be used literally to describe how far something reaches, often followed by a destination or a relative clause like sejauh mata memandang (as far as the eye can see).
Examples (5)
- Sejauh ini, semuanya baik-baik saja.
So far, everything is fine.
Word by Word: As far this, all-of-it good-good only.
Here, 'sejauh ini' acts as a temporal limit, meaning 'up to this point in time'.
- Sejauh yang saya tahu, dia tidak akan datang.
As far as I know, he/she is not coming.
Word by Word: As far that I know, he/she not will come.
This uses 'sejauh yang' to limit the validity of the statement to the speaker's personal knowledge.
- Pemandangan sawah itu hijau sejauh mata memandang.
The view of the rice fields is green as far as the eye can see.
Word by Word: View rice-field that green as far eye see.
A classic idiomatic use of 'sejauh' to describe physical visual distance.
- Kita harus melihat sejauh mana rencana ini berhasil.
We have to see to what extent this plan succeeds.
Word by Word: We must see as far where plan this succeed.
Using 'sejauh mana' to measure the degree or extent of success.
- Buanglah sampah itu sejauh-jauhnya dari sini.
Throw that trash as far away as possible from here.
Word by Word: Throw-lah trash that as-far-far-nya from here.
The reduplicated form 'sejauh-jauhnya' functions as a superlative, meaning 'as far as possible'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'sampai' instead of 'sejauh' for scope.
Sampai yang saya tahu, dia sudah pergi.Sejauh yang saya tahu, dia sudah pergi.'Sampai' means 'until' or 'up to' a destination. When limiting the scope of knowledge or evidence, 'sejauh' is the correct grammatical choice.
Believing 'yang' is always required after 'sejauh'.
Sejauh yang pengetahuan saya, dia jujur.Sejauh pengetahuan saya, dia jujur.Sejauh pengetahuan saya takes a noun phrase directly; adding yang before that unchanged noun phrase does not make the intended construction. Sejauh yang saya tahu is another clear model. Clauses can also follow sejauh without yang, as in sejauh mata memandang; yang is not required before every clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'sejauh', learners first need to understand the equative prefix 'se-', which indicates equality or extent. 'Sejauh' literally means 'as far as' and is used to define the scope or limits of a statement based on distance, evidence, or degree.
- se-As ... as with Se-
The prefix 'se-' in 'sejauh' is the equative marker meaning 'as... as' or 'to the extent of', which is the morphological basis for this pattern.
Level 3 - sampaiUp to or Until with Sampai
Understanding 'jauh' (far) in the context of distance and limits is often contrasted or supplemented by the concept of 'sampai' (until/up to).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- sejauh manaTo What Extent
This is the interrogative form of 'sejauh', used to ask 'to what extent' or 'how far' something goes.
Level 5 - sepanjangProvided That or Insofar as
Sepanjang can express length or duration, and also scope or conditions, as in sepanjang pengetahuan saya. Its scope uses overlap with sejauh; the contrast is not simply duration versus knowledge.
Level 6 - menurutAccording to with Menurut
Like 'sejauh yang saya tahu', 'menurut' (according to) is used to attribute information to a specific source or perspective.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice sejauh in Bubblegum
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