walaupun

Concession with Walaupun

Level 2

Use walaupun to connect two ideas where the second part happens despite the first part. It is the most common way to say 'although' in Malay.

How It Works

In Malay grammar, walaupun is categorized as a kata hubung pancangan keterangan (subordinating conjunction of circumstance).

1. Sentence Position:
You can place the walaupun clause at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis, or in the middle. If it starts the sentence, a comma is usually used to separate it from the main clause.
Example: Walaupun dia penat, dia tetap bekerja. (Although he is tired, he still works.)

2. Morphology:
It is formed from the root walau (if/even if) and the emphatic particle -pun. While walau is sometimes used alone, walaupun is the standard form for 'although'.

3. Register:
This word is neutral and highly versatile. It is equally appropriate in formal documents, news reports, and casual conversation.

4. Elliptical Constructions:
Sometimes, the subject and verb are omitted after walaupun if they are understood from the context, especially when followed by an adjective.
Example: Walaupun sibuk, dia menelefon ibunya. (Although [he is] busy, he calls his mother.)

Examples (4)

  1. Walaupun hari hujan, dia tetap pergi ke sekolah.

    Although it is raining, he still goes to school.

    Word by Word: Although day rain, he still go to school.

    Here, 'walaupun' starts the sentence to introduce the condition (rain) that usually stops people from going out.

  2. Saya akan membelinya walaupun harganya mahal.

    I will buy it even though the price is expensive.

    Word by Word: I will buy-it although price-its expensive.

    In this example, 'walaupun' is used in the middle of the sentence to join the two clauses.

  3. Walaupun letih, bapa masih tersenyum.

    Although tired, father is still smiling.

    Word by Word: Although tired, father still smiling.

    This shows an elliptical construction where the subject 'bapa' is omitted in the first clause because it appears in the second.

  4. Dia tidak mahu makan walaupun dia lapar.

    He does not want to eat even though he is hungry.

    Word by Word: He not want eat although he hungry.

    A common usage showing a contrast between a physical state (hunger) and an action (not eating).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'walaupun' and 'tetapi' (but) in the same sentence.

    Walaupun dia kaya, tetapi dia kedekut.
    Walaupun dia kaya, dia kedekut.

    In standard Malay, you should not use two contrastive conjunctions together. Use either 'walaupun' at the start or tetapi in the middle, but not both.

  • Confusing 'walaupun' with 'walau bagaimanapun'.

    Walaupun, saya tidak setuju.
    Walau bagaimanapun, saya tidak setuju.

    Walaupun must be followed by a clause or phrase. To say 'However,' at the start of a sentence, use walau bagaimanapun.

How It Connects

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walaupunLevel 2Concession with Walaupun

Learn This First

To use 'walaupun' (even though/although), learners need to be able to construct two complete clauses and understand how to express contrast between them. It builds upon basic sentence structure and the simpler concept of contrast found in 'tetapi'.

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walaupun