karena

Reason Clause with Karena

Level 1

Karena is the standard Indonesian word for "because." It is used to explain the reason for something and can be followed by either a full sentence or a noun.

How It Works

Karena is a versatile connector used to link an action or state to its cause.

1. Usage with Clauses (Sentences)
When followed by a clause (Subject + Verb), it functions like the English "because."
Example: Saya lapar karena saya belum makan. (I am hungry because I haven't eaten yet.)
Importantly, when karena is used in the middle of a sentence, standard Indonesian grammar dictates that no comma should precede it (English speakers often mistakenly add one). However, a karena clause can also be placed at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize the cause. When fronted, it must be separated from the main clause by a comma: Karena saya belum makan, saya lapar.

2. Usage with Nouns
When followed directly by a noun, it functions like "because of." Formal writing also uses "disebabkan oleh" (caused by) or akibat (as a result of) for this purpose. Note that the phrase "oleh karena" can also function as a standalone formal conjunction synonymous with karena. It is also used in the fixed transition oleh karena itu (therefore). A slightly less formal and very common alternative is simply karena itu. As an inter-sentence connector, oleh karena itu (or karena itu) usually starts a new sentence and must be immediately followed by a comma.

3. Synonyms and Variations
The word sebab is a common synonym for karena. However, unlike karena, sebab can also function as a noun meaning "the cause" (e.g., Apa sebabnya? - What is the cause?). In casual speech, you will frequently hear soalnya, as well as lantaran or the non-standard spelling karna. In texting and social media, it is often abbreviated as krn.

4. Negative and Positive Causes (Gara-gara vs. Berkat)
When the cause is negative or you want to assign blame, Indonesians often use gara-gara instead of karena.
Example: Gara-gara kamu, kita terlambat! (Because of you, we are late!)
Conversely, when the cause is positive (meaning "thanks to"), use berkat.
Example: Berkat bantuanmu, tugas ini selesai. (Thanks to your help, this task is finished.)

5. Editing Choices
Dikarenakan is attested in official and academic prose, including Badan Bahasa publications. Some editors prefer the shorter karena or disebabkan oleh. Teach these clear models without presenting all use of dikarenakan as universally ungrammatical.

Examples (5)

  1. Saya tidak masuk kantor karena sakit.

    I didn't go to the office because [I am] sick.

    Word by Word: I not enter office because sick.

    In this sentence, the subject 'I' is understood in the second part, so it is omitted after karena.

  2. Karena hari hujan, kami tinggal di rumah.

    Because it was raining, we stayed at home.

    Word by Word: Because day rain, we stay at house.

    This shows karena at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize the reason.

  3. Dia sukses karena kerja kerasnya.

    He is successful because of his hard work.

    Word by Word: He success because work hard-his.

    In neutral speech, karena can be followed directly by a noun phrase like 'kerja kerasnya'.

  4. Saya senang karena kamu datang.

    I am happy because you came.

    Word by Word: I happy because you come.

    A simple example of karena connecting two clauses.

  5. Gara-gara macet, saya terlambat.

    Because of the traffic (blame), I am late.

    Word by Word: Because-of traffic, I late.

    Gara-gara is used instead of karena when the cause is negative or involves blame.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'dari' or 'tentang' after 'karena' to mean 'because of'.

    Saya sedih karena tentang kamu.
    Saya sedih karena kamu.

    Karena kamu directly means because of you. Do not mechanically insert tentang or dari to translate English of in that phrase. Those prepositions may occur after karena as part of a complete following clause, so this is not a ban on every such word sequence.

  • Joining karena to the subject of its clause.

    Saya lapar karenasaya belum makan.
    Saya lapar karena saya belum makan.

    Karena is written separately and introduces the reason. Jadi introduces a result. Saya lapar karena saya makan can make a different causal claim in a suitable context, so it is not a grammatical error simply because the usual cause would be not eating.

How It Connects

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karenaLevel 1Reason Clause with Karena

Learn This First

To use 'karena' (because), you need to be able to form basic sentences that will serve as the main clause and the reason clause. It is also helpful to understand 'why' questions, as 'karena' is the standard way to answer them.

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