sampai

Up to or Until with Sampai

Level 1

Sampai is a high-frequency word used to mark endpoints. It translates to 'until' for time, 'as far as' for distance, and 'arrive' as a verb.

How It Works

The word sampai is essential for daily Indonesian communication and serves several core functions:

1. Time (Until): It marks the end of a duration. For example, 'from morning until night.' In Indonesian, this is often paired with dari (from). It is also the key word in common parting greetings like Sampai jumpa (See you), Sampai besok (Until tomorrow), or Sampai nanti (See you later).

2. Space (As far as): It marks a physical limit. Unlike ke (to), which just shows direction, sampai emphasizes the endpoint or the extent of the movement.

3. Arrival (To arrive): It functions as a verb meaning 'to reach a destination.' In formal writing, you might see tiba, but sampai is the standard choice for neutral speech.

4. Result (To the point that): A single sampai can indicate a result (e.g., 'working until tired'). When reduplicated as sampai-sampai, it emphasizes an extreme or surprising consequence (e.g., 'so hungry that he ate three plates').

5. Emphasis (Even): It can be used to highlight an unexpected or extreme action, similar to 'even' in English (e.g., 'Dia sampai menangis' - He even cried).

6. Precaution (Lest / Don't let): When paired with jangan, the phrase jangan sampai warns against a specific outcome occurring.

Usage Notes:

  • When used for arrival, it is common to follow it with di (at/in) to specify the location.
  • The idiom sampai hati is frequently used to mean 'to have the heart to' do something cruel.
  • In very casual speech, the preposition or conjunction form is often shortened to sampe, while the verb meaning 'to arrive' becomes nyampe.
  • Sampai jam 5 sets the endpoint at five o’clock. It does not mean that the entire hour from five to six is included. The practical interpretation of an endpoint depends on the activity.

Examples (6)

  1. Toko ini buka sampai jam delapan malam.

    This shop is open until eight at night.

    Word by Word: Shop this open until hour eight night.

    Here, 'sampai' marks the temporal limit of the shop's operating hours.

  2. Kami berjalan kaki sampai ke pantai.

    We walked as far as the beach.

    Word by Word: We walk foot until to beach.

    In this spatial context, 'sampai ke' emphasizes that the beach was the final point of the walk.

  3. Kapan kamu sampai di Jakarta?

    When did you arrive in Jakarta?

    Word by Word: When you arrive at Jakarta?

    In this sentence, 'sampai' acts as a verb meaning 'to arrive'.

  4. Dia belajar sampai pintar.

    He studied to the point of being smart.

    Word by Word: He study until smart.

    A single 'sampai' can show a result or a state reached through an action.

  5. Jangan sampai kamu lupa membawa kunci.

    Don't let yourself forget to bring the key.

    Word by Word: Don't until you forget bring key.

    The phrase 'jangan sampai' is used to express a precaution, meaning 'don't let it happen' or 'lest'.

  6. Sampai hati dia meninggalkan ibunya.

    How could he have the heart to leave his mother?

    Word by Word: Until heart he leave mother-his.

    The idiom 'sampai hati' is a common way to express disbelief that someone could be so cruel or heartless.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sampai' when you only mean 'to' (direction).

    Saya mau pergi sampai pasar.
    Saya mau pergi ke pasar.

    Use 'ke' for simple direction. Use 'sampai' only if you want to emphasize the distance or the fact that the market is the final limit of your trip.

  • Omitting 'di' when expressing arrival at a specific place.

    Saya sudah sampai kantor.
    Saya sudah sampai di kantor.

    While 'sampai kantor' is often heard in casual speech, 'sampai di kantor' is the grammatically complete way to say 'arrived at the office'.

How It Connects

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sampaiLevel 1Up to or Until with Sampai

Learn This First

To understand 'sampai' as a marker for an endpoint, learners should first be familiar with basic Indonesian prepositions that indicate location and direction.

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