apa ... atau ...

Embedded Alternative Question

Level 4

The pattern apa ... atau ... is the everyday way to say "whether ... or ..." when reporting a choice or uncertainty within a sentence.

How It Works

This pattern is a staple of colloquial and informal Malay. It allows you to embed a question inside a statement without using direct question intonation.

1. Structure
The typical structure is: [Main Clause] + apa + [Choice A] + atau + [Choice B].
The main clause usually contains verbs of thinking, asking, or knowing, such as tahu (know), tanya (ask), or fikir (think).

2. Register and Usage
While apa ... atau ... is extremely common in spoken Malay, it is considered informal. In formal writing or official contexts, you should use apakah ... atau ... or the standard sama ada ... atau ....

3. Casual Variations
In very casual speech, speakers often use kalau as a synonym for 'whether' (e.g., Tengoklah kalau dia datang atau tidak). Additionally, in rapid conversation, the second choice (the atau clause) is sometimes omitted if the context is clear.

4. The Role of -kah
In semi-formal speech, you might hear apakah instead of the bare apa. The -kah suffix reinforces the interrogative nature of the clause but is usually dropped in casual conversation.

5. Distinction from "What"
Learners often confuse this with the interrogative pronoun apa (what).
• Saya tak tahu apa dia makan. (I don't know what he is eating.)
• Saya tak tahu apa dia makan atau tidak. (I don't know whether he is eating or not.)

Examples (4)

  1. Saya tak tahu apa dia nak datang atau tidak.

    I don't know whether he wants to come or not.

    Word by Word: I not know what he want come or not.

    A classic colloquial example using 'apa' to mean 'whether' in an embedded clause.

  2. Dia bertanya apakah kita mahu bertolak sekarang atau tunggu sebentar lagi.

    He asked whether we want to leave now or wait a little longer.

    Word by Word: He ask whether-kah we want depart now or wait moment more.

    A semi-formal version using 'apakah' to introduce the alternatives.

  3. Mak tanya apa hang dah makan atau belum.

    Mom asked whether you have eaten or not yet.

    Word by Word: Mom ask what you already eat or not-yet.

    This uses the informal 'apa' alongside regional/casual pronouns like 'hang' (you).

  4. Kita kena pastikan apa dia setuju atau pun tidak.

    We need to ensure whether he agrees or not.

    Word by Word: We must ensure what he agree or even not.

    The particle 'pun' is often added after 'atau' for emphasis in these structures.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'apa ... atau ...' in formal writing.

    Pihak kerajaan perlu memutuskan apa projek ini diteruskan atau tidak.
    Pihak kerajaan perlu memutuskan sama ada projek ini diteruskan atau tidak.

    In formal essays or reports, 'sama ada' is the required standard form; 'apa' is considered too colloquial.

  • Combining 'sama ada' and 'apa' together.

    Saya tak pasti sama ada apa dia suka hadiah itu.
    Saya tak pasti apa dia suka hadiah itu.

    You must choose one or the other. Combining them is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

How It Connects

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

apa ... atau ...Level 4Embedded Alternative Question

Learn This First

To understand 'apa ... atau ...', a learner must first be familiar with the basic interrogative 'apa' (what) and the coordinator 'atau' (or). This pattern combines these elements to create embedded or reported alternative questions, which function similarly to content clauses.

Words in This Pattern