akibat
Cause Framed as Akibat
In formal Malay, akibat (literally 'consequence') is used as a preposition to mean 'due to' or 'as a result of.' It is almost exclusively used for negative outcomes like accidents, disasters, or losses.
How It Works
The word akibat is a staple of formal and journalistic Malay, used to frame results and consequences.
1. Causal Marker vs. Conjunction:
Technically a noun (kata nama), akibat functions as a causal marker or prepositional head. It must be followed by a noun phrase. This differs from kerana, which is more flexible and can take either a noun phrase or a full clause (subject + verb). For example, Akibat hujan lebat (Due to heavy rain) is correct, but Akibat hujan turun lebat is non-standard.
2. Negative Prosody:
In almost all contexts, akibat introduces a negative or undesirable result. Using it for positive outcomes can sound ominous or sarcastic to native speakers. For neutral results (impact/effect), writers typically prefer the word kesan. For specifically positive results, use berkat.
3. The Noun and Verb Forms:
Beyond its use as a marker, akibat is a noun meaning 'consequence' (e.g., Apakah akibatnya? - What is the consequence?). It also forms the active transitive verb mengakibatkan, which means 'to cause' or 'to result in'.
4. Formal Structures:
In high-register Malay, you will often see the phrase sebagai akibat daripada (as a result of) to link a situation to its cause formally, using daripada to mark the source.
Examples (4)
- Kebakaran itu berlaku akibat litar pintas.
The fire occurred due to a short circuit.
Word by Word: Fire that happen consequence circuit short.
Here, 'akibat' introduces the specific cause (short circuit) of the negative event (fire).
- Akibat hujan lebat yang berterusan, beberapa kawasan telah dilanda banjir.
As a result of continuous heavy rain, several areas were hit by floods.
Word by Word: Consequence rain heavy which continuous, several areas have-been hit flood.
When placed at the start of a sentence, 'akibat' frames the entire context as a causal relationship leading to a disaster.
- Para penternak mengalami kerugian besar akibat serangan wabak penyakit.
Farmers suffered heavy losses owing to an outbreak of disease.
Word by Word: The farmers experience loss big consequence attack outbreak disease.
This demonstrates the formal, journalistic tone typical of this pattern.
- Dia terpaksa berhenti kerja akibat masalah kesihatan.
He was forced to stop working due to health problems.
Word by Word: He forced stop work consequence problem health.
The negative cause (health problems) is introduced by 'akibat' to explain the unfortunate result (losing a job).
Common Mistakes
Using 'akibat' to describe a positive outcome or blessing.
Akibat bantuan kerajaan, penduduk kampung hidup senang.Berkat bantuan kerajaan, penduduk kampung hidup senang.In Malay, 'akibat' carries a strong negative prosody and is almost exclusively used for bad consequences. For positive results or blessings, use berkat instead.
Following 'akibat' with a full clause (Subject + Verb).
Akibat dia malas belajar, dia gagal.Akibat kemalasannya, dia gagal.'Akibat' is a noun used as a causal marker and is normally followed by a noun phrase. A ke-...-an noun such as 'kemalasannya' turns the reason into a noun.
Using 'dari' instead of 'daripada' when introducing the source of the result.
Akibat dari kemalangan itu...Akibat daripada kemalangan itu...In formal Malay, daripada is used for sources or origins of conditions, while di and dari are strictly for physical place or time.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'akibat' as a grammatical marker, learners should first be comfortable with basic causal conjunctions like 'kerana' and resultative markers like 'sehingga'. Since 'akibat' is primarily used in formal written Malay, familiarity with abstract noun formations (ke-...-an) is also necessary to parse the complex sentences where this pattern typically appears.
- ke-...-an (keadaan)Abstract States with Ke-...-an
Akibat is often used in formal prose to link abstract states or events, which frequently utilize the ke-...-an nominalization.
Level 3 - sehinggaResult with Sehingga
The pattern 'akibat' functions as a resultative marker, similar to 'sehingga' (until/so that), but focused on negative consequences.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- keranaReason Clause with Kerana
A flexible causal conjunction that can be followed by either a full clause or a noun phrase, unlike 'akibat' which requires a noun phrase.
Level 1 - berkatBeneficial Cause with Berkat
The positive counterpart to 'akibat,' used to frame a cause that leads to a blessing or success.
Level 4 - makaFormal Result with Maka
A formal result marker often used in the second half of a sentence to introduce the consequence.
Level 2 - daripadaComparison Standard with Daripada
Used in the optional 'akibat daripada' form to indicate the source of the consequence.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice akibat in Bubblegum
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