dengan tidak mengurangi
Without Prejudice to Formula
Dengan tidak mengurangi is a high-level formal phrase used in legal, administrative, and formal social contexts. It functions as a 'preservation clause,' signaling that a new statement or regulation is being added without canceling out or diminishing the authority of a previously established rule or right.
How It Works
In Indonesian legalese and formal writing, dengan tidak mengurangi serves a specific structural purpose. It allows for the introduction of a new provision while explicitly protecting the validity of another.
Key characteristics include:
- Legal Function: It states that the new provision is not intended to diminish the provision or right named after the phrase. The precise legal effect depends on the document and context.
- Social Function: In formal etiquette (like invitations), it acts as a 'politeness buffer' (e.g., dengan tidak mengurangi rasa hormat), expressing that the request is made with respect.
- Grammatical Structure: It is always followed by a noun or noun phrase, such as ketentuan (provisions), hak (rights), or kewenangan (authority).
Unlike meskipun (despite), which acknowledges a contradiction, dengan tidak mengurangi states that a specified provision or right is preserved. The wording alone does not guarantee that an entire document is free of contradictions.
Examples (4)
- Dengan tidak mengurangi ketentuan dalam Pasal 5, pemegang paten wajib membuat produk di Indonesia.
Without prejudice to the provisions in Article 5, the patent holder is obliged to manufacture the product in Indonesia.
Word by Word: With not reducing provisions in Article 5, holder patent mandatory make product in Indonesia.
This is a classic legal usage where a new obligation is introduced without affecting the rules already established in a specific article.
- Keputusan ini berlaku sejak tanggal ditetapkan, dengan tidak mengurangi hak Dewan Komisaris untuk memberhentikannya sewaktu-waktu.
This decision is effective as of the date of stipulation, without prejudice to the right of the Board of Commissioners to dismiss [them] at any time.
Word by Word: Decision this effective since date stipulated, with not reducing right Board Commissioners for dismiss-him/her any-time.
This corporate-language example expressly preserves the board’s stated right. Interpreting an actual appointment requires the full document and applicable context.
- Dengan tidak mengurangi rasa hormat, kami memohon agar para tamu tidak membawa cenderamata.
Without diminishing our respect [for you], we kindly request that guests do not bring gifts.
Word by Word: With not reducing feeling respect, we request so-that plural guest not bring souvenirs.
The formula expresses respect while introducing a request in an invitation.
- Peraturan ini mulai berlaku pada hari ini, dengan tidak mengurangi kewenangan pejabat yang berwenang sebelumnya.
This regulation comes into effect today, without limiting the authority of the previously authorized officials.
Word by Word: Regulation this start effective on day this, with not reducing authority official who authorized previously.
This administrative sentence preserves the power of existing officials while implementing a new rule.
Common Mistakes
Using the phrase in casual or informal conversation.
Dengan tidak mengurangi rasa hormat, bisakah kamu meminjamkan uang?Maaf, bolehkah saya meminjam uang?The phrase is grammatical but gives this everyday request a deliberately formal tone. Tanpa is a simpler option. This is a register choice, not a ban on using the phrase with friends.
Following the phrase with a verb or a 'bahwa' clause directly.
Dengan tidak mengurangi bahwa dia sudah bekerja keras...Dengan tidak mengurangi kenyataan bahwa dia sudah bekerja keras...This phrase requires a noun phrase. If you want to use a clause, you must add a nominalizer like 'kenyataan' (the fact) or 'ketentuan' (the provision).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'dengan tidak mengurangi', a learner needs to be familiar with the preposition 'dengan' (with), the basic negation 'tidak' (not), and how active transitive verbs are formed using the meN- prefix. This formal legalistic phrase literally translates to 'with not reducing', functioning as a fixed formula meaning 'without prejudice to'.
- denganWith with Dengan
The pattern uses 'dengan' as a prepositional marker to introduce the qualifying condition.
Level 1 - tidakNegating Verbs and Adjectives with Tidak
The pattern uses 'tidak' to negate the following verb, creating the 'without' (with not) meaning.
Level 1 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The verb 'mengurangi' is a transitive active verb using the meN- prefix (specifically the meng- allomorph), which is essential for understanding the verbal component of the formula.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- tanpa + NounWithout with Tanpa
A simpler, less formal way to say 'without' something, though it lacks the specific 'preservation' nuance of the target phrase.
Level 1 - sebagaimana dimaksudLegal Cross-reference Formula
Another common legal formula used for cross-referencing specific articles or provisions within a document.
Level 6 - meskipunConcession with Meskipun
Meskipun introduces a concession; dengan tidak mengurangi expressly preserves a named right, provision, or consideration.
Level 2 - wajibBinding Obligation with Wajib
Often appears in the same sentences as the target phrase to denote mandatory legal obligations.
Level 6 - secara + AdjectiveFormal Manner with Secara
Used to form formal adverbs of manner, similar in register to the target phrase.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice dengan tidak mengurangi in Bubblegum
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