kendati

Elevated Concession with Kendati

Level 6

Kendati is a high-register functional word used to express 'although' or 'despite the fact that.' It is primarily found in formal writing, journalism, and literature.

How It Works

Kendati is a hallmark of sophisticated Malay and Indonesian prose. Its usage is governed by the following principles:

  • Placement: It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma after the subordinate clause) or in the middle to link two clauses.
  • Register: It is significantly more formal than walaupun or biarpun. While common in Indonesian formal media, it is also used in Malaysian literary and official contexts.
  • Emphasis: The particle pun is frequently attached to form kendatipun, which adds a layer of emphasis to the concession.
  • Fixed Transitions: The phrase Kendati demikian... (Nevertheless / Even so) is a standard transition in formal essays to acknowledge a previous point before introducing a contrasting one.
  • Secondary Meaning: In specific literary contexts, it can function similarly to jangankan (let alone), though this is rare.

Examples (4)

  1. Kendati hujan lebat mengguyur kota, majlis itu tetap diteruskan seperti yang dirancang.

    Although heavy rain drenched the city, the ceremony continued as planned.

    Word by Word: Although rain heavy drench city, ceremony that still continued like which planned.

    This shows 'kendati' at the start of a sentence, introducing a condition that did not stop the main action.

  2. Kendati demikian, pihak berkuasa mengingatkan orang ramai supaya sentiasa berwaspada.

    Even so, the authorities remind the public to always remain vigilant.

    Word by Word: Although that-way, side authority remind people many so-that always be-vigilant.

    This demonstrates the fixed transition 'Kendati demikian,' used to mean 'Nevertheless' or 'Even so.'

  3. Kendatipun beliau sudah berusia, semangatnya untuk menuntut ilmu tidak pernah pudar.

    Even though he is elderly, his passion for seeking knowledge has never faded.

    Word by Word: Even-though he (respectful) already aged, spirit-his for seek knowledge not ever fade.

    Here, the emphatic suffix '-pun' is added to 'kendati' to strengthen the concession regarding the subject's age.

  4. Projek itu tetap dilaksanakan kendati menghadapi pelbagai cabaran kewangan.

    The project was still implemented despite facing various financial challenges.

    Word by Word: Project that still implemented although face various challenge finance.

    This shows 'kendati' used mid-sentence to link the main clause with the concessive clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'kendati' in casual conversation.

    Kendati aku penat, aku nak keluar juga.
    Walaupun aku penat, aku nak keluar juga.

    'Kendati' is too formal for daily speech. Using it with friends sounds robotic or overly dramatic; 'walaupun' or 'tapi' is preferred.

  • Redundant use of 'namun' (but) in the same sentence.

    Kendati dia kaya, namun dia kedekut.
    Kendati dia kaya, dia kedekut.

    In formal grammar, if you start with a concessive conjunction like 'kendati,' you do not need a contrastive conjunction like 'namun' in the middle of the sentence.

How It Connects

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

kendatiLevel 6Elevated Concession with Kendati

Learn This First

Kendati is a high-level, formal conjunction used in literary or journalistic Malay to express concession ('although' or 'even though'). To understand its usage, learners should already be familiar with standard concessive markers like walaupun and biarpun, and be comfortable with the formal register of Malay prose.

Words in This Pattern

kendatipun