lalu

Sequence with Lalu

Level 1

Use lalu to connect two actions that happen one after another (e.g., 'I ate, then slept') or to talk about the past (e.g., 'last week').

How It Works

The word lalu organizes events and movement in time and space.

1. Sequential Linker ('Then')
When used between two clauses, it indicates that the second action follows the first. If the subject is the same for both actions, it is usually omitted in the second clause.
Example: Dia bangun, lalu mandi. (He woke up, then showered.)

2. Temporal Marker ('Ago' / 'Past')
Placed after a time noun, it indicates a past period. For simple 'last [time unit]' expressions, lalu attaches directly to the noun (e.g., bulan lalu for 'last month'). When the time period is quantified with a number to mean '[X] ago', you can use it with or without the relative pronoun yang; both tiga hari lalu and tiga hari yang lalu (three days ago) are correct, natural, and used interchangeably.

3. Derivations and Fixed Expressions
Because the literal root meaning is 'to pass' or 'go beyond', lalu is the root of several highly frequent words. It appears in common terms like lalu lintas (traffic), lalu lalang (passing back and forth / pacing to and fro), and berlalu (to pass by or elapse). Other crucial derivations include terlalu (too/excessive), selalu (always), melalui (through/via), keterlaluan (going too far/outrageous), and sambil lalu (in passing).

4. Register and Synonyms
Indonesian has several ways to say 'then'. While lalu is standard, lantas is very common in narrative speech to show immediate sequence. In casual conversation, terus is often used, while kemudian is preferred in formal writing to start new sentences. Note that combining setelah (after) with either kemudian or lalu in the same sentence (e.g., Setelah makan, lalu dia tidur) is considered redundant by Indonesian grammarians and should be avoided in formal contexts, as both words indicate sequence.

Examples (5)

  1. Dia bangun, lalu mencuci muka.

    He woke up, then washed his face.

    Word by Word: He wake-up, then wash face.

    Notice that the subject 'dia' is not repeated after 'lalu'.

  2. Kami bertemu dua jam yang lalu.

    We met two hours ago.

    Word by Word: We meet two hour which past.

    Here, 'lalu' functions as 'ago' following a time duration.

  3. Ibu pergi ke pasar, lalu membeli sayur.

    Mother went to the market, then bought vegetables.

    Word by Word: Mother go to market, then buy vegetable.

    A standard sequence of events within one sentence.

  4. Tahun lalu saya tinggal di Jakarta.

    Last year I lived in Jakarta.

    Word by Word: Year past I live in Jakarta.

    'Tahun lalu' is the standard way to say 'last year'.

  5. Campurkan gula, lalu aduk.

    Mix the sugar, then stir.

    Word by Word: Mix sugar, then stir.

    Lalu can be used for future instructions or recipes, not just past events.

Common Mistakes

  • Repeating the subject unnecessarily.

    Saya makan, lalu saya minum.
    Saya makan, lalu minum.

    Omitting the repeated subject is concise when the actor stays the same. Repeating saya is also grammatical and can clarify or emphasize who performs each action; it is not inherently unnatural.

  • Confusing 'lalu' (ago) with 'dulu' (before/formerly).

    Saya makan lalu.
    Saya makan dulu.

    If you want to say 'I'll eat first' or 'I ate before', use 'dulu'. 'Lalu' requires a specific time unit (like 'two days') to mean 'ago'.

How It Connects

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

laluLevel 1Sequence with Lalu

Learn This First

To use 'lalu' effectively, you need to be comfortable forming basic sentences using standard word order, as 'lalu' functions as a bridge between two sequential actions. Familiarity with basic conjunctions like 'dan' helps in understanding how Indonesian links clauses together.

Words in This Pattern