tanpa + Noun

Without with Tanpa

Level 1

tanpa + noun = without [something]

How It Works

In Indonesian, tanpa functions as a preposition that introduces a noun, a noun phrase, or an action. It is used to describe a state where something is lacking.

1. Basic Usage
It is placed directly before the noun or verb it modifies. While tanpa does not take prefixes, it can take enclitic suffixes to refer to people or things.

  • With Nouns: kopi tanpa gula (coffee without sugar).
  • With Actions: Dia pergi tanpa bicara (He left without speaking).

2. Modifying Verbs and Nouns
A phrase starting with tanpa can describe a noun (acting like an adjective) or describe how an action is performed (acting like an adverb). In formal contexts, tanpa often precedes verbs with the meN- prefix.

  • Adjectival: Teh tanpa susu (Tea without milk).
  • Adverbial: Dia pergi tanpa pamit (He left without saying goodbye) or tanpa memberi tahu (without informing).

3. Usage with Adjectives
You can also use tanpa with certain adjectives to describe the manner in which something is done:

  • tanpa ragu (without doubt/hesitation).
  • tanpa malu (without shame).

4. Pronoun Contractions
Tanpa can combine with possessive suffixes to refer to people or things:

  • Tanpaku: Without me (from -ku).
  • Tanpamu: Without you (from -mu).
  • Tanpanya: Without him, her, or it (from -nya). This is very common when referring back to something already mentioned.

5. Register Differences
In formal writing, you may see the phrase tanpa adanya (without the existence of) used for extra precision. In very casual conversation, you might hear people say nggak pake (literally 'not using') instead of tanpa.

Examples (5)

  1. Saya minum kopi tanpa gula.

    I drink coffee without sugar.

    Word by Word: I drink coffee without sugar.

    Here, 'tanpa' describes the coffee by indicating the absence of sugar.

  2. Dia datang ke pesta tanpa teman.

    He came to the party without a friend.

    Word by Word: He come to party without friend.

    In this sentence, 'tanpa' shows that the person was not accompanied by anyone.

  3. Hidup ini sepi tanpamu.

    This life is lonely without you.

    Word by Word: Life this lonely without-you.

    This shows the common contraction of 'tanpa' with the pronoun '-mu'.

  4. Mereka bekerja tanpa henti.

    They work without stopping.

    Word by Word: They work without stop.

    In this context, 'henti' (stop/cease) acts as the noun following 'tanpa' to describe the continuous nature of the work.

  5. Jangan masuk tanpa izin.

    Do not enter without permission.

    Word by Word: Do-not enter without permission.

    A common formal instruction using 'tanpa' followed by the noun 'izin' (permission).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tanpa' with another negative word like 'tidak'.

    Saya pergi tanpa tidak uang.
    Saya pergi tanpa uang.

    For without sugar, say tanpa gula. Adding tidak creates an extra negation and no longer clearly expresses simple absence. Do not mechanically combine the two to translate a single English without.

  • Using tanpa when you mean 'is not'.

    Different MeaningIni tanpa kopi.
    Ini bukan kopi.

    Ini tanpa kopi is a good sentence, but it means 'This is without coffee.' To say something is not a certain noun, use bukan: Ini bukan kopi.

  • Using 'tanpa' to negate a main verb instead of 'tidak'.

    Saya tanpa makan hari ini.
    Saya tidak makan hari ini.

    'Tanpa' is used to add a 'without' phrase to a sentence, not to negate the main action. To say you 'do not' do something, use tidak.

How It Connects

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

tanpa + NounLevel 1Without with Tanpa

Learn This First

To understand 'tanpa noun', a learner needs to be familiar with how prepositions function in Indonesian to modify nouns and how basic noun phrases are constructed without the need for a copula.

Words in This Pattern