sejak

Since with Sejak

Level 3

sejak = since
Used to identify when a continuous action or state began.

How It Works

In Indonesian, sejak is the primary way to express 'since'. It is strictly temporal, unlike the English 'since' which can sometimes mean 'because'.

1. Usage with Nouns
When followed by a noun or noun phrase, it marks a point in time:

  • sejak pagi (since morning)
  • sejak tahun 2010 (since the year 2010)
  • sejak perang (since the war)

2. Sejak (Point) vs. Selama (Duration)
It is important to distinguish between the starting point and the duration. Use sejak for the start and selama for the length of time:

  • sejak jam 2 (since 2 o'clock)
  • selama dua jam (for two hours)

3. Sejak vs. Dari
While dari can be used for time (e.g., dari pagi), sejak explicitly identifies the starting point of the relevant period. Its endpoint is supplied by context or by an expression with sampai or hingga; it need not be the present.

4. Interrogative: Sejak kapan?
To ask 'since when?', use the phrase sejak kapan?:

  • Sejak kapan Anda tinggal di Jakarta? (Since when have you lived in Jakarta?)

5. Usage with Clauses
When used as a conjunction to start a clause, a shared subject is a common clear context for omitting the subordinate subject:

  • Sejak lulus, dia bekerja di bank. (Since graduating, he has worked at a bank.)

6. Interaction with Aspect Markers
The aspect marker sudah can show that the relevant state or event already holds by the reference time. Sejak supplies its starting point; sudah itself is not a tense ending or a guarantee of present continuation.

Another Endpoint: TBBI illustrates sejak menikah sampai punya anak satu, showing a period bounded by two events. Do not automatically translate every sejak sentence with an English present perfect.

Examples (4)

  1. Saya tinggal di Jakarta sejak tahun 2015.

    I have lived in Jakarta since 2015.

    Word by Word: I live in Jakarta since year 2015.

    Here, 'sejak' is followed by a specific year to show when the residency began.

  2. Dia sudah sakit sejak kemarin.

    He has been sick since yesterday.

    Word by Word: He already sick since yesterday.

    Sudah presents the illness as already holding by the reference time; sejak kemarin identifies its starting point.

  3. Sejak dia pindah, rumah ini terasa sepi.

    Since he moved, this house feels lonely.

    Word by Word: Since he move, house this feel lonely.

    In this example, 'sejak' acts as a conjunction introducing a full clause (subject + verb).

  4. Ibu bekerja di kantor itu sejak saya kecil.

    Mother has worked in that office since I was little.

    Word by Word: Mother work at office that since I little.

    A common way to use 'sejak' is to refer to a life stage, like childhood.

Common Mistakes

  • Using temporal sejak when the intended relation is simply a cause.

    Sejak hari hujan, saya tidak pergi.
    Karena hari hujan, saya tidak pergi.

    For the intended reason because it is raining, use karena. A sejak clause instead makes the rain a temporal starting point; such a reading is different rather than a universal ban on referring to rainy weather after sejak.

  • Using 'sejak' directly with a duration.

    Saya tinggal di sini sejak dua tahun.
    Saya tinggal di sini sejak dua tahun yang lalu.

    For the intended starting point two years ago, add yang lalu. For a two-year duration, use selama. A bare duration does not clearly identify that intended starting point in this model.

How It Connects

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

sejakLevel 3Since with Sejak

Learn This First

To understand 'sejak' (since), learners should first be familiar with basic time concepts and the concept of a 'source' or 'starting point'. It is also helpful to understand how Indonesian marks completed or ongoing states that began at a specific point in time.

Words in This Pattern

sejak