masih belum

Still Not Yet

Level 3

Use masih belum to emphasize that a not-yet state continues at the relevant time. Delay, surprise or frustration may be inferred from context but are not required meanings.

How It Works

The expression masih belum functions as a preverbal aspect marker. In the basic model it precedes the predicate whose not-yet state continues.

1. Usage with Verbs
It is most commonly used with verbs to show that an action is still pending. For example: Dia masih belum datang (He still hasn't come yet).

2. Usage with Adjectives
When used with adjectives, it indicates that the relevant state has not yet been reached, whether or not it is desired. For example: Kondisinya masih belum stabil (His condition is still not yet stable).

3. Usage with Prepositional Phrases
It can also precede a prepositional phrase acting as a predicate. For example: Dia masih belum di kantor (He is still not yet at the office).

4. Tense Independence
Because Indonesian uses no grammatical tense inflection, masih belum is not restricted to the present tense. It can be used to describe past events where an action had not yet occurred at a specific point in time. For example: Kemarin dia masih belum sampai (Yesterday he still hadn't arrived).

5. Nuance and Register
Masih belum can neutrally describe a continuing not-yet state or occur in an impatient statement. Belum juga can also emphasize persistence. Neither expression alone guarantees frustration or objective neutrality; wording, intonation and context shape the interpretation.

Tidak and Belum: Saya masih belum lulus ujian itu highlights not yet having passed. Saya masih tidak lulus ujian itu can describe continued failure in an appropriate context. An expectation or hope of passing does not automatically make every tidak statement ungrammatical.

Examples (4)

  1. Saya sudah dua kali menjelaskan soal itu, tapi dia masih belum mengerti.

    I have explained that problem twice, but he still doesn't understand yet.

    Word by Word: I already two times explain matter that, but he still not-yet understand.

    Here, 'masih belum' emphasizes that despite the effort of explaining twice, the state of not understanding persists.

  2. Meskipun sudah jam sepuluh malam, ayah masih belum pulang dari kantor.

    Even though it's already 10 PM, father still hasn't returned home from the office yet.

    Word by Word: Even-though already hour ten night, father still not-yet go-home from office.

    The concessive opening contrasts the late hour with the continuing absence. It suggests an expectation of return without specifying an actual scheduled deadline.

  3. Penyebab kecelakaan itu masih belum diketahui oleh pihak kepolisian.

    The cause of the accident is still not yet known by the police.

    Word by Word: Cause accident that still not-yet be-known by side police.

    Masih belum presents the cause as remaining unknown to the police. The sentence itself does not state that an investigation is currently underway.

  4. Obat baru ini masih belum tersedia di apotek kecil.

    This new medicine is still not yet available in small pharmacies.

    Word by Word: Medicine new this still not-yet available in pharmacy small.

    Used with the adjective 'tersedia' (available) to show a continuing lack of availability.

Common Mistakes

  • Reversing the word order to 'belum masih'.

    Dia belum masih makan.
    Dia masih belum makan.

    For the intended meaning still has not eaten, use the established order masih belum makan. Reversing these markers as displayed does not express that aspectual model.

How It Connects

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

masih belumLevel 3Still Not Yet

Learn This First

The pattern 'masih belum' is a compound aspectual marker. To understand it, a learner must first understand the individual meanings of 'masih' (still) and 'belum' (not yet), as the combination emphasizes the continuation of a 'not yet' state.

Words in This Pattern

masih