yang penting
What Matters Is
Yang penting is a high-frequency phrase used to prioritize one specific condition over others. It translates to 'The important thing is...' or 'What matters is...'. It is used in both formal and casual Indonesian.
How It Works
The phrase yang penting is versatile and appears in several syntactic structures:
- Formal Usage: Often followed by the copula adalah to define a priority (e.g., Yang penting adalah kejujuran).
- Casual Usage: Usually followed directly by a clause or verb phrase without a copula (e.g., Yang penting kamu senang). In this register, it is frequently paired with the kan particle (e.g., Yang penting kan kita sudah coba) to emphasize shared understanding.
- Conditional Usage: It can function similarly to kalau or 'as long as,' setting a minimum requirement for success or satisfaction.
While ubiquitous in casual speech, it is a standard grammatical construction used in all contexts, including formal ones, to structure arguments and advice. Note that while yang penting focuses on priority, the similar term pokoknya focuses on finality or insistence regardless of other factors.
Examples (4)
- Nggak apa-apa telat, yang penting selamat.
It's okay to be late; what matters is arriving safely.
Word by Word: No what-what late, the important [thing] safe.
A very common Indonesian proverb emphasizing safety over speed.
- Yang penting adalah bagaimana kita menerapkan teori ini.
The important thing is how we apply this theory.
Word by Word: The important [thing] is how we apply theory this.
A formal example using 'adalah' to link the topic to a complex explanation.
- Mau makan di mana saja boleh, yang penting murah.
We can eat anywhere, as long as it's cheap.
Word by Word: Want eat at where only may, the important [thing] cheap.
Here, 'yang penting' sets the primary condition for the decision.
- Yang penting kamu sudah berusaha.
What matters is that you have already tried.
Word by Word: The important [thing] you already effort.
Used here to offer comfort or advice by focusing on effort rather than results.
Common Mistakes
Overusing 'adalah' in casual conversation.
Yang penting adalah kamu sehat.Yang penting kamu sehat.Adalah is optional in this pattern and can clarify or emphasize the priority. Omitting it gives a concise clause; including it is grammatical and not automatically inappropriate in conversation.
Omitting 'yang' when starting the sentence.
Penting kita belajar.Yang penting kita belajar.Yang penting means what matters or the important thing. Penting kita belajar can instead be understood as it is important that we study, with the adjective predicate first. Use yang for the intended what-matters topic, not because every sentence must start with a noun phrase.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'yang penting', a learner needs to know how the relative marker 'yang' nominalizes adjectives to mean 'the [adjective] one'. They also need to be comfortable with Indonesian's lack of a copula in adjective-based predicates and how 'yang' is used to focus or package specific information at the start of a sentence.
- yang + AdjectiveSelecting by a Property
The phrase 'yang penting' uses the relative marker 'yang' followed by the adjective 'penting' (important) to create a noun-like phrase meaning 'the important thing'.
Level 2 - Adjectives can be predicates
Understanding that adjectives can function as predicates allows 'yang penting' to stand as the subject or main point of a sentence without needing a verb like 'to be'.
Level 1 - yang (pemfokus)Focus Clefts with Yang
This pattern functions as a focus construction, similar to a cleft, where 'yang penting' highlights the most significant information in the sentence.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- adalahDefinitional Copula Adalah
The copula often used after 'yang penting' in formal definitions.
Level 1 - pentingnyaThe Importance of with -nya
Another way to discuss importance, specifically 'the importance of' something.
Level 5 - kalauEveryday if with Kalau
Often used interchangeably with 'yang penting' when expressing 'as long as' conditions.
Level 2 - kanReminder Particle Kan
Frequently paired with 'yang penting' in conversation to add a nuance of 'as you know' or 'right?'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice yang penting in Bubblegum
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