sekurang-kurangnya

At the Very Least

Level 6

Sekurang-kurangnya is the standard Malay way to say 'at least.' It sets a minimum requirement for quantities (numbers) or a baseline for actions and conditions.

How It Works

The phrase sekurang-kurangnya is a versatile tool in Malay grammar. It functions in two primary ways:

  • Quantitative: It indicates a minimum threshold and typically precedes numbers or measurements. For example, 'sekurang-kurangnya lima orang' (at least five people). It can also appear at the end of a sentence in quantitative contexts without a preceding comma.
  • Qualitative/Concessive: It acts as an adverb to suggest a minimum effort or a 'consolation' fact. In this context, it can appear at the start of the sentence to frame the entire statement (e.g., 'Sekurang-kurangnya, saya sudah cuba'). When used at the very beginning of a sentence to frame a concessive statement, it is typically followed by a comma in formal writing. However, it is not restricted to this position and can also appear in the middle of a clause, usually directly between the subject and the verb (e.g., 'Dia sekurang-kurangnya mencuba'). For added emphasis in concessive statements, it frequently pairs with the particle pun ('Sekurang-kurangnya pun...'), translating roughly to 'Even at the very least...'.

In formal writing, it is the preferred term for establishing baselines. Another standard alternative is paling kurang. The formal synonym setidak-tidaknya can also be used, but it carries a stronger concessive or desperate tone, making it less natural for purely objective quantitative measurements compared to sekurang-kurangnya. For the qualitative/concessive meaning, the highly common synonym paling tidak is also frequently used, while paling sikit is a highly common colloquial alternative for the quantitative meaning.

Morphologically, it is structured using the circumfix se-...-nya with a reduplicated root word (kurang-kurang) to form an adverb of extreme degree or limit. The suffix -nya is generally required in modern standard usage, though the base reduplication sekurang-kurang is an older, less common variant. In spoken and casual written Malay, the shortened informal variant sekurangnya is extremely common.

Examples (4)

  1. Kita mesti minum sekurang-kurangnya lapan gelas air sehari.

    We must drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

    Word by Word: We must drink at-least eight glass water a-day.

    Here, the phrase establishes a quantitative minimum for the number of glasses.

  2. Sekurang-kurangnya, dia sudah memohon maaf atas kesilapannya.

    At the very least, he has apologized for his mistake.

    Word by Word: At-least, he already request apology for mistake-his.

    This demonstrates the qualitative use, highlighting a minimum acceptable action. Note the use of a comma when it frames the sentence at the beginning.

  3. Calon mestilah berumur sekurang-kurangnya lapan belas tahun.

    Candidates must be at least eighteen years old.

    Word by Word: Candidate must-be aged at-least eight ten year.

    A typical formal/legal usage setting a minimum age requirement.

  4. Anda perlu menunggu sekurang-kurangnya dua minggu untuk keputusan itu.

    You need to wait at least two weeks for that result.

    Word by Word: You need wait at-least two week for result that.

    Used with a time duration to set a minimum waiting period.

Common Mistakes

  • 'Sekurang-kurangnya lima ringgit' is correct, but it means at least five ringgit, not about five.

    Saya ada sekurang-kurangnya lima ringgit.
    Saya ada lebih kurang lima ringgit.

    Sekurang-kurangnya means '5 or more' (a minimum floor), while 'lebih kurang' means 'approximately 5' (could be 4 or 6).

  • Omitting the '-nya' suffix in everyday modern contexts.

    Kita perlukan sekurang-kurang dua orang lagi.
    Kita perlukan sekurang-kurangnya dua orang lagi.

    In modern standard Malay, the suffix -nya is generally required to complete the adverbial phrase. Without it, the phrase sounds incomplete in everyday usage, as the base form 'sekurang-kurang' is an older, less common variant rather than the modern standard.

  • Redundant usage with other limiters.

    Sekurang-kurangnya lebih kurang sepuluh orang hadir.
    Sekurang-kurangnya sepuluh orang hadir.

    Do not combine 'at least' with 'approximately.' Choose one based on whether you are setting a minimum or an estimate.

How It Connects

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sekurang-kurangnyaLevel 6At the Very Least

Learn This First

Sekurang-kurangnya is a complex adverbial phrase built from the root 'kurang' (less/little). To understand it, a learner needs to recognize the equative prefix 'se-', the reduplication of the root for emphasis, and the use of the suffix '-nya' to stabilize the phrase as a fixed expression meaning 'at the very least'.

Words in This Pattern