ketidak-...-an (kontras)

Negated Abstract Quality

Level 5

The ketidak-...-an pattern creates formal abstract nouns that mean 'the lack of' or 'the absence of' a base quality. It is the formal equivalent of English prefixes like in-, un-, or non-.

How It Works

In formal Indonesian (Bahasa Baku), ketidak-...-an is used to discuss abstract concepts in academic, legal, or journalistic contexts. While you might say tidak adil (not fair) in a sentence, ketidakadilan (injustice) is an established noun for that concept. Other nominal constructions can also express negative states, so this is not the only possible way to discuss them.

Key Characteristics:

  • Morphology: It wraps around a base word. Unlike meN-, it does not cause nasalization or changes to the first letter of the root.
  • Base Words: It mostly attaches to adjectives (e.g., pasti → ketidakpastian), but can also attach to verbs (e.g., tahu → ketidaktahuan) or even prefixed forms (e.g., sesuai → ketidaksesuaian).
  • Register: These nouns are useful in formal analysis and can also occur in ordinary conversation. Tidak or nggak plus an adjective provides a predicate instead; it does not automatically replace the noun in the same syntactic position.
  • Contrast: It serves as the direct opposite of the positive abstract noun formed by ke-...-an. For example, keadilan (justice) vs. ketidakadilan (injustice).

Examples (4)

  1. Ketidakadilan sosial masih menjadi masalah besar di negara ini.

    Social injustice is still a major problem in this country.

    Word by Word: Not-fair-ness social still becomes a big problem in this country.

    Here, 'ketidakadilan' (injustice) acts as the subject of the sentence.

  2. Banyak investor khawatir karena ketidakpastian ekonomi global.

    Many investors are worried because of global economic uncertainty.

    Word by Word: Many investors worried because of not-certain-ness of global economy.

    'Ketidakpastian' is derived from the adjective 'pasti' (certain).

  3. Ketidaktahuan masyarakat tentang hukum sering dimanfaatkan.

    The public's ignorance of the law is often exploited.

    Word by Word: Not-knowing of the public about law is often exploited.

    This shows the pattern attaching to the verb 'tahu' (to know) to mean 'ignorance'.

  4. Ada ketidaksesuaian antara data dan kenyataan.

    There is an incompatibility between the data and reality.

    Word by Word: There is not-matching between data and reality.

    'Ketidaksesuaian' comes from 'sesuai' (suitable/compatible).

Common Mistakes

  • Splitting the nominalized negative base into separate words.

    Saya merasakan ketidak pastian tentang masa depan.
    Saya merasakan ketidakpastian tentang masa depan.

    Write ketidakpastian together. It names uncertainty; tidak pasti describes being uncertain. A noun can also be the content of a feeling, as in merasakan ketidakpastian, so nounhood alone does not prohibit every feeling construction.

  • Separating parts of the noun ketidakadilan.

    Ketidak adilan itu sangat menyakitkan.
    Ketidakadilan itu sangat menyakitkan.

    Write ketidakadilan together for injustice. Bukan keadilan negates an identification as justice; it does not itself create the noun naming injustice.

How It Connects

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

ketidak-...-an (kontras)Level 5Negated Abstract Quality

Learn This First

The 'ketidak-...-an contrast' pattern is a formal way to create abstract nouns representing the absence of a quality (e.g., 'ketidakadilan' for injustice). To understand this, learners must first be familiar with the standard 'ke-...-an' circumfix used for abstract nouns and the basic negation word 'tidak'. This pattern specifically focuses on how these negated nouns are used in formal Indonesian to contrast with their positive counterparts.

Words in This Pattern

ketidak- -an