That-clause as an argument
The bahwa clause functions like the English word 'that' in sentences like 'I know that he is coming.' It allows you to treat an entire statement as a single unit within a larger sentence.
How It Works
The bahwa clause is a fundamental tool for formal communication, academic writing, and journalism. It serves several structural roles:
- As an Object: Following reporting verbs like mengatakan (to say), percaya (to believe), or menyadari (to realize).
Example: Saya tahu bahwa dia jujur. (I know that he is honest.) - As a Subject: Often used with passive verbs or adjectives to introduce a fact.
Example: Jelas bahwa rencana ini gagal. (It is clear that this plan failed.) - Register Differences: In formal writing, bahwa explicitly marks clause content and is often useful for clarity; its omission depends on the governing construction, not formality alone. In casual speech, it is often omitted or replaced by kalau.
- Bahwasanya: This is a highly formal and emphatic variant of bahwa, typically found in legal documents, religious texts, or official proclamations.
Unlike English, Indonesian maintains no tense inflection. If the main verb is in the past, the bahwa clause does not undergo automatic tense backshift. Aspect markers can still be chosen to express the intended timing or state.
Examples (5)
- Dia mengatakan bahwa dia akan datang terlambat.
He said that he will arrive late.
Word by Word: He say that he will come late.
Here, 'bahwa' introduces the content of what was said, acting as the direct object of the verb 'mengatakan'.
- Jelas bahwa kita harus bekerja lebih keras.
It is clear that we must work harder.
Word by Word: Clear that we must work more hard.
In this sentence, the 'bahwa' clause acts as the subject of the predicate 'jelas' (clear).
- Kabar bahwa dia mengundurkan diri mengejutkan semua orang.
The news that he resigned shocked everyone.
Word by Word: News that he resign self shock all person.
The 'bahwa' clause here complements the noun 'kabar' (news), explaining what the news actually is.
- Pemerintah menyadari bahwa masalah ini sangat rumit.
The government realizes that this problem is very complicated.
Word by Word: Government realize that problem this very complicated.
A standard formal usage where 'bahwa' follows a verb of perception/realization.
- Bahwasanya Pancasila adalah dasar negara Indonesia.
That [the fact is] Pancasila is the foundation of the Indonesian state.
Word by Word: That-fact-is Pancasila is foundation state Indonesia.
Uses the formal variant 'bahwasanya' to state a definitive, foundational fact.
Common Mistakes
Using 'yang' instead of 'bahwa' to introduce a statement.
Saya tahu yang dia sakit.Saya tahu bahwa dia sakit.'Yang' is a relative pronoun used to describe a noun (like 'who' or 'which'). 'Bahwa' is used to introduce the content of a fact or statement.
Inserting 'itu' before 'bahwa' as a bridge.
Dia percaya itu bahwa saya benar.Dia percaya bahwa saya benar.English speakers sometimes try to translate 'it' (e.g., 'He believes it that...') into Indonesian, but 'bahwa' should follow the verb directly.
Adding already solely to imitate tense backshift.
Dia berkata bahwa dia telah lapar. (Maksud: lapar, tanpa makna sudah.)Dia berkata bahwa dia lapar.Telah lapar is grammatical for already hungry. It does not merely make lapar agree with a past reporting verb. Keep or omit telah according to the intended aspect; for the stated meaning without already, omit it.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand how a 'bahwa' clause can act as a noun (nominalization), you first need to be comfortable with the basic 'bahwa' conjunction. You also need to understand standard sentence structure (SVO) and how the copula 'adalah' functions, as these clauses often serve as the subject or complement in formal sentences.
Related Patterns
- kalauEveryday if with Kalau
In informal speech, 'kalau' often replaces 'bahwa' to introduce content clauses.
Level 2 - yangRelative Clauses with Yang
Often confused with 'bahwa'; 'yang' modifies a noun, while 'bahwa' introduces a proposition.
Level 2 - bahwasanyaElevated Complementizer Bahwasanya
The elevated, highly formal version of 'bahwa' used in legal or religious contexts.
Level 6 - fakta bahwaThe Fact That
A specific construction using 'bahwa' to define the content of the noun 'fakta' (fact).
Level 5 - Verbs do not change for tense
Explains why the verb inside a 'bahwa' clause does not change even if the main verb is in the past.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice That-clause as an argument in Bubblegum
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